2.3 Shutdown Ends, Deadline Returns The shutdown may be ending today, but the real story is what happens next. The House just passed a bill to reopen most agencies and fund them through September 30—relief is real, and you’ve earned it. But DHS is only funded until February 13,
2.3 A lot of federal employees are being told it’s “business as usual” during a funding lapse — without anything in writing. That gray zone is where confusion, pressure, and personal risk start to pile up on people who didn’t create this problem. In this video, I break down the
2.3 This shutdown may end as soon as this afternoon—but the real story is what comes next. The House is moving to fund most major departments through Sept. 30 while DHS gets only a short extension to Feb. 13. That sets up a fast new countdown, with DHS at the center of
2.2 Telework rollback is being framed as “performance,” but GAO is documenting something more complicated—and more consequential for federal employees. In a new report focused on SSA, GAO highlights telework’s impact on recruiting and retention, pushes back on simplistic blame
2.2 VA leadership is pitching reorganization and staffing caps as “streamlining,” but the real question is what it means on the ground in clinics and medical centers. Consolidating VISNs and limiting staffing can quietly reshape workload, burnout, and patient access long before
Federal employees are in the headlines constantly—whether you read them or not. Get the FREE Daily Federal Briefing: the 3 federal workforce stories that matter, decoded in plain English for your career (plus rotating Legal Safeguard + Mindfulness Reset tips). Trusted by 3,500+ feds daily with ~60%
1.29 A lot of federal employees are seeing the Georgia election office raid and feeling real anxiety about what it means. As an attorney who reads warrants for a living, I want you to know this: a search warrant is not a finding of fraud or wrongdoing. It’s a low legal threshold
2025 surprised me. We didn’t set out to go viral. Lydia and I just focused on doing the right thing—for our clients, our team, and federal employees who deserve clarity and respect. Somehow, that led to 30 million views this year. This year was about growth, long days at the firm, meaningful work,
12.24 If “rest” still feels like you’re on duty, you’re not alone. I’m checking in with federal employees today—and sharing what we’re doing while our team recharges: limited intake for emergencies, plus a week of 2025 “Wrapped” videos focused on agency leadership and what it
12.20 A lot of federal employees had a hard year. This was a small way to show up for our community and do something tangible, together, for the entire community. Grateful for everyone who helped make Feed the DMV happen — and proud to stand with people who serve, even when it’s
Up early and heading out to Feed the DMV. Before I get there, I just want to say thank you. Because of the extra effort people made this week — liking posts, commenting, joining our newsletter — we raised a little over $700 on top of what our firm already committed. That’s real help for real
12.18 Yesterday, Judge Susan Illston issued a preliminary injunction ordering agencies to reverse hundreds of shutdown-period terminations and pause any further RIF implementation through January 30, 2026. The key point: it doesn’t matter when the RIF notice went out—courts are
12.17 A new federal lawsuit reads like a playbook for pushing out a career employee without the usual civil service process. It alleges a “reassignment” to IHS, administrative leave, loss of systems access, then a termination letter framed as “appointment” authority—after internal
12.15 They’re calling it “not layoffs, just vacancies,” but that can still mean no reinforcements and heavier workloads for the people who stay. Reporting says VA plans to eliminate up to 35,000 VHA health care positions, mostly unfilled roles. An unfilled position is still the
Just to update everyone: The Ninth Circuit has denied the Trump administration’s request to lift the injunction. That means the mass firings—RIFs at many agencies—remain on hold for now. The legal fight continues, but this is a major win for federal employees across the country.
RIF plans due today—did they plan for all those reinstatements? #askingforafriend
Long week… and good. But #youalreadyknow
Also failure to Venmo me $500 will be taken as a donation, Elon. Thanks in advance.
Oh cool, a new federal workplace rule: ‘Reply to an email or you resign.’ Totally normal. Definitely not coercion. Super legal, I’m sure.
What’s next? ‘Failure to clap during meetings will be considered a resignation’?
Federal employees serve the country, not a billionaire’s inbox.
Happy Presidents’ Day y’all! No kings allowed!
Spoons Always Win.
When faced with a fork in the road, federal employees chose the spoon—because spoons scoop, support, and stir things up, while forks just divide. In the great cutlery showdown, solidarity always wins. #SpoonSolidarity #ForkOff #MindfulResistance
Meet Justice—Our Chief Morale Officer!
Justice, our firm’s Standard Poodle, knows a thing or two about work-life balance. Here he is, living his best life at the beach in Florida—big smile, no stress.
Follow along for more insights (and maybe more Justice cameos)!
Southworth PC is Expanding to BlueSky!
In November, our firm, Southworth PC, launched The Mindful Workplace Podcast to help all employees navigate workplace challenges with clarity and confidence. Now, we’re taking our mission to Blue Sky. Happy to be here.
I’ve spent 20,000+ hours representing federal employees. I’ve seen what happens when power goes unchecked—careers ruined, truth buried.
But I’ve also seen people stand up and demand better.
We need to face what’s happening. Mindfully. Strategically. Together.
