This post will be actively updated.
HOW TO PROTECT YOUR JOB & COUNTRY
Statutes define how agencies comply with due process and how Congress can provide additional rights not required by the Constitution, but even if not explicit in statute, the government must comply with the Constitution. You have a right to make an informed decision and shall act in accordance with what is known to be law.
EXERCISE YOUR RIGHTS AS A FEDERAL WORKER (and citizen)
Competitive service & some probationary employees (PE’s can still obtain reasons & respond, especially if allege political reasons) (SF-50) can appeal prohibited or illegal removals, demotions, or suspensions
Prohibited Personnel Practices
Authority figures cannot discriminate employees or applicants based on political affiliation (firing and hiring; loyalty tests); solicit recommendations to people who request or are under consideration for personnel action (with exceptions, ex. suitability, which can be challenged); influence to withdraw from competition or grant preference for purpose of improving or injuring others for employment (many EM employees now in gov); threaten or take personnel action because of an appeal, testifying, or refusing to obey an order that requires the violation of a law, rule, or regulation; enforce a nondisclosure agreement without specific disclaimers; access medical record through conduct described as PPP
Whistleblowing
There are protections against retaliation for bringing awareness to illegal, wasteful, abusive, discriminatory, or publicly dangerous activities. Info also considered that help the public make informed decisions about how government operates. Certain classified information can be disclosed to Congress
DOJ threatens to prosecute anyone who “targets” GE
Promotes apolitical influence and job security needed to serve country
Different protections based on position, classification, tenure, etc.
After probationary period, often protected (ex. advance notice) against political termination, reassignment, suspension, demotion, or other adverse decisions
The Constitution, statutes, and regulations provide their own right (may overlap or layer, and each + collection bargaining agreements may determine respond time) to a Reply Opportunity, which guarantee employees have advance notice and a reasonable or meaningful to respond (do this in writing) (a reg. can’t overrule a statute, and a statue can’t overrule the Const.)
Some employees have property invested in their jobs. Government cannot take your property without notice and hearing
Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits intimidation based on race, color, religion, sex, orientation, gender identity, and nationality
You can make harassment complaints, grievance, and appeals (be careful, as the first review sought may limit others) (may warrant further investigation & monitor for compliance)
1st Amendment
Federal employees can voice their opinions in their private lives. It’s limited (ex. Hatch Act) when it may impact work responsibilities
DOCUMENT & DOWNLOAD (legally)
Print docs that confirm your job, protocols that protect your job, and websites that you anticipate to be taken down
Make a paper trial of any adverse actions created against you. Appeal. They may illegally rip millions from their job, but watch them try to avoid the rules and law that require them to address all of the appeals. They are trying to undo these protections, so do your appeal now
Every very little thing. Go to the doctors and see if you’re unwell because of this
COMMUNICATE
Signal, VPN, & Tor
Nothing is private these days, especially with the compromise of federal employee info
Local News
Do not just call the Washington Post. Get local, because people understand this problem is in their neighborhood, they’ll be more vigilant. Many outlets use Signal
Local Elected Officials
Do not just call/email (do both, by the way) your senators, reps, and gov. Contact your state reps and local officials and even the school board, because this is trickling down
Attend Local Meetings
Attend meetings of local activists, organizations, school groups, or government hearings. This affects them. Organize and make petitions or draft letters for them to send to their representatives
Meet Your Neighbors
When the lights go out, and you have no food and no gas, what will you do? In the digital age, we can feel so separate when in reality, we are more alike than we realize. Our strangeness is what causes division. Our friendship is what causes unity. Spread the Constitution, fascism “red flags,” and remember, being nice and getting one point across is better than getting frustrated and getting nothing across
Alternatives
Put flyers up plainly bullet-pointing key events and what people need to do (ex. a list of the Bill of Rights. Or how tariffs will lead to increased prices and alienate Canada as an ally. Or that maybe going to Mars or sending people to Guatemala is a waste of money)
Find Counsel
For your appeal (keep in mind documentation)
Know who you want to represent you ahead of time. Lawyers typically offer free consultations. They will tell you to make a paper trail and limit your response
If you can, how to, and all feds represented by NTEU and AFGE (tip: remember to search for info that goes against your confirmation bias to see the other side)
NTEU says 1 year severance if RIF or agency abolishment
Collective Bargaining Agreements, memoranda of understanding, their role in telework/NTEU (see 1, 2, & 3), and legal obligation
"Lobbying via union"
WHAT HAS HAPPENED
Illegal Activity & Challenging Constitution
I can no longer find the article with their quoted admission of breaking the law as they claimed it was “unconstitutional,” but that much is already clear, as well as the irony in them wanting to change the Constitution while going directly against it
Be aware of more Executive Orders or new actions stemming from “old” EOs
Constitution
Challenges
1st in terms of pronoun “requirement” - asking to remove your pronouns is a rule that is not enforceable by statute because it violates the 1st, 9th, and 14th. It is a test.
14th with due process, birthright, abortion (if you believe it should be up to the states, they have now proposed a federal ban) & insurrection
22nd Amendment for a third term
Article 1 (Power of Congress) in violating Foreign and Domestic Emoluments Clauses & Impoundment
The Anti-Deficiency Act contrasts "buyout"
Websites Shut Down
USAID shutdown without Congress
NPS history being scrubbed
OPM for “DEI”
Unusually high number of datasets being cleared, including health data and Census & Archives
Denied access to federal money, affecting Medicaid
AFFECT ON WORK OPERATIONS
Schedule F & becoming at-will (all private employees are but not all government employees)
Collecting Bargaining Agreements challenged & shutdown of National Labor Relations Board
EEO Commissioners fired & affect
Bribing allowed and other unethical actions allowed ahead FBI nominee being voted on 3/6/25
Bear in mind, you have a right to make an informed decision. Ex. If you are a pilot, you have a right to be weary about flying right now. In terms of the “buyout:”
“No money can be paid from the Treasury unless specifically authorized by a statue…Richmond’s receipt of incorrect information cannot affect the non-payment of his benefits.” - OPM v. Richmond
Operations compromised
OPM breach and insecure email address
Nonpartisan Treasury’s payment system and data accessed by Musk. Downloads to private servers by allege non-government employees
Attempt to identify “leakers”
A Comprehensive List of Actions Taken Against the Federal Workforce
WHAT CAN HAPPEN
See the Big Picture
Decipher Distractions
The hoard of EOs is meant to overwhelm you. When you can’t read the book, but the assignment is due tomorrow, you look for the narrative. America got hooked because we are suffering and uneducated. The narrative was right or left instead of up or down. So the answer is division, which leads to conquering. Do not be divided in your own attention. Do not be divided from your peers. Organize and focus
Agency Leads Need to Stand Ground
FBI Director Brain Driscoll refused Justice Department order to fire agents involved in Jan 6
USDA IG escorted out of office and can now sue
Employees Stand Ground
FBI agents Association guidance on 12-question survey
Employee’s email reply to EEO Andrea Lucas
Doors of OPM blocked by federal workers
Republicans (not loyalists) & Democrats Need to Stand Ground
Democrats have been decentralized & true Republicans cower
They need to lead themselves and the people (ex. Senator Kaine urged workers to not take offer). New Chairman Martin better step up
Their fear of hypocrisy preventing a probe. Admission of rig
Lawsuits
Unions say OPM can only rescind regulation through rule making process defined in law
Two anon feds allege OPM emails are illegal & insecure
Loss of Allies
Leaving WHO, NATO, and the Paris Agreement
THIS IS NOT A COMPLETE LIST
This is an organized effort; if you see something to be updated, please say. I am just a dude.
