Any federal employees here?

28 Comments

1. Sharmil McKeeFebruary 8,2025 at 2:40PM UTC

   I am not a federal employee, but I can imagine your pain. It would help me to create a game plan. First, I would use the EAP for the therapy and career planning. Second, I would turn off voluntary auto pay deductions, and cancel discretionary subscriptions. Then I would research joining the union and how to apply for unemployment benefits. Then I would call my biggest creditors and negotiate a deferment. I would also try to set up a freelance gig on Upwork. Then I would spend the rest of my time protecting my mental heath, going to work, and taking it one day at a time. Good luck.

2. AnonymousFebruary 8,2025 at 3:51PM UTC

   Oh God ? it pains me to see this is really happening through no fault of your own. It's so sickening something like this could be happening in a free country that has been the epitome of human and civil rights for the past 40+ years. I hate sounding disingenuous and saying "I'm sorry," to people over text or even person because it feels that way to me whenever someone says it but doesn't offer any kind of help so, I'm not going to say it but this is your life and this really isn't fair AT ALL. I can however at least offer what advice I can. Do you file taxes at the end of the year?

3. AnonymousFebruary 8,2025 at 4:16PM UTC

   I'm sorry to hear that. That happened to me 10 years ago when I was single & had an apartment + car in NYC. It was very nerve wracking. I tried to take it one day at a time & made sure I got exercise in to relieve stress. I hope you find something very soon.

   FYI-there are a lot of federal workers sharing their stories over on Reddit.

   https://www.reddit.com/r/fednews/

4. maria roseFebruary 8,2025 at 4:22PM UTC

   First of all, everyone who works in a non-government job has experienced this uncertainty of continuity in employment which government employees have seemingly been able to avoid ( reasons not mentioned here). Your description of your financial status is not uncommon despite all the talk made that our budgets should include saving money along with paying for all our necessity bills ( which are claimed to be a mere 1/3 of our monthly income but are not). You probably earned enough to cover your expenses as long as you didn’t splurge. Luckily you have a union that does have in their bylaws the actions that need to occur in a layoff, which will give you something financially much more than what someone else in the private sector would get based on the federal labor law. There’s no federal labor law that guarantees you a job, just your union contract that has limited ways to terminate employment. If your job position is being eliminated you will still have been given a severance.

   Now as for your future employment, it’s time to brush up your resume and start searching and finding a new job while also lowering your mental stress level to not hinder your search.

   Losing a job is not the end of the world, it’s just a door opening to a new situation and it’s happening to the best of us. Who knows you may find a job better for your needs but it’s just a change that can be dealt with. You can do this

5. AnonymousFebruary 10,2025 at 4:06PM UTC

   You and a few of the other commenters are making a lot of judgmental statements that are not helpful or appropriate. This forum is supposed to be a safe space. No one writes in here so they can be told they should have budgeted better or that everyone deals with layoffs. How does that help? Be better.

6. maria roseFebruary 10,2025 at 9:49PM UTC

   So sorry that you have the wrong impression of what I said. But job loss isn’t the end of the world—deal with it and move on—there’s plenty of other opportunities.

7. AnonymousFebruary 8,2025 at 5:50PM UTC

   I totally understand. I am also a federal employee and the uncertainty is so stressful. I am also single, fortunately in the last couple of weeks I paid off almost all debt (just not in my car yet). I live in government quarters- do not have a home outside of here…am just 5 months from being fully vested in FERS. Starting to go through my things to reorganize and start packing…so I am not in a rush to pack if it comes to that. It is extremely stressful, I love my job and the population I serve- it scares me to think they could be out of these services we provide. Know you are not alone -

8. AnonymousFebruary 8,2025 at 6:57PM UTC

   Your panic is understandable but I would suggest you focus on those things you can control. That means spend your effort on preparing. Get your resume in shape for a job search. Network with your colleagues and start learning to use tools like A.I. to assist in keeping your contacts and applications in a tracker. Start researching your focused companies. Get your lLinkeIin profile polished. Join professional organizations to help your networking efforts.

   There are so many ways your can give yourself a head start for success. Just hanging on and waiting is a waste of this time. You are employed and have benefits right now so you are in an ideal spot to put together your plan and get a head start. Don't waste it.

   Also, on a personal level, take care of all your medical appointments immediately and rework your budget to save $ where you can. Be proactive and build your support team of family and friends. So they are there for you when you need them. Take care of repairing things on your house and tuneup your car. Do these things now to save yourself the stress later.

   Being proactive now will not only put you in a great spot, it will give you a sense of control over your life in areas that will support you.

   Your fear is understandable but putting yourself in a wait and see corner will not serve you in the long run. You must act in your own best interest.

9. AnonymousFebruary 8,2025 at 11:36PM UTC

   I am sorry you are uneasy about all of the shakeup. However, state, county, city, and town governments have gone through this many, many times over the years. There have been furloughs and full on layoffs of hundreds to thousands of state and/or county workers. . .depending on the size of the state and county in question. Budgets are not new in government and ALWAYS affect personnel. The only difference is, Federal has been forgetting to do the job correctly for the last 75 years. So, the departments have become bloated. Oddly enough, this also happened to a tech company I was laid off from in November. If you compared the tech company I was part of to that of its peers, it was seriously personnel heavy and that was because no one ever seemed to lose their job. . .even if it was earned. I JUST secured a position this last Friday. Two more weeks and my severance would have run out. Unemployment in my state is a joke! I also didn't have a savings. I didn't have even retirement to fall back on. I had pulled everything out of retirement in early 2023 to purchase a home because my husband was diagnosed with cancer and there is no way we can keep renting. Rent costs are skyrocketing faster than wages in my area. We need a stable monthly payment. I need to be able to pay for this place by myself.

   All of these things are very scary. If you concentrate on only the negative, you will give yourself a serious ulcer. I'm not kidding. Literal internal bleeding. Instead of concentrating on what you can't control, concentrate on the things you can control. Some of these things include:

   1. Revamping your resume
   2. Creating a resume for each type of position you might like to apply to
   3. Boosting your LinkedIn - connect with EVERYONE, engage with posts, engage with posts of employers you would like to work for and their employees, create posts, repost others' posts, leave comments, etc.
   4. Get a part-time job so you can build a savings while you're waiting to see what happens with your primary job. Either way, you win here.
   5. Write in a gratitude journal every day. They don't have to be grandiose gratitude's. It can be something as trivial as. . .I'm thankful for having creamer for my coffee this morning. It really started off my day in a positive way.
   6. DO NOT get sucked into the black hole of blaming someone else for this issue. You have leaders to blame. They need to be held accountable. Unfortunately, due to their poor leadership everyone is being affected. Don't circle the drain of talking crap with your fellow federal employees. It will sink your mood. This is difficult enough with a positive mindset.
   7. DO NOT post anything negative about what is happening to your department or leadership online. If you do, it is there forever for someone to find. It may seem like it doesn't matter now but with AI becoming more autonomous in the next few years, I'm betting it's going to be able to dig up every dumb thing any of us ever typed. If you need to, have an anger journal. Write it in your journal, tear out the page, and burn it. In a safe place of course. It is very cathartic. I promise.
   8. You know this but pretend as though you've already been removed from your position. Stop your subscriptions. . .all the things you really don't need. Now, if something is really good for your mental health. . .keep it. Don't eat out, don't order delivery, have a strict budget, follow the budget, don't let people borrow money. . .if you do "lend" out money, make sure it's money you don't care to see again. . .trade in your vehicle to something less expensive, if that is something that affects you. . .all the things.

   Again, I am sorry you are going through this. It is an awful experience. You certainly aren't alone but don't get sucked in to that negative black hole that is growing. You don't need it. Best of luck to you.

10. AnonymousMarch 29,2025 at 1:59PM UTC

    Yes, I understand layoffs happen in private sector. The federal government is the largest employer. People are being fired illegally. When the majority of us are gone the private sector will feel it, When Clinton did it he followed the law. This administration is rogue.

11. fduntvFebruary 9,2025 at 2:12PM UTC

    I’m sorry. I recommend you reach out to other coworkers and get their phone numbers and contact information. That way, you can help each other find job leads and give each other recommendations. These connections I made when I was let go of my last job helped me find a better job.

12. AnonymousFebruary 9,2025 at 2:32PM UTC

    I am a retired federal employee. My greatest sympathy and honor. We are public servants. I hate some of the comments here. I know I took a 20 percent pay cut to go to work for the feds. I loved my job, but it was a trade off for lower wages than the private sector

    The work was interesting, the mission important and the hours better for work/life balance. We can all focus on a few of the less productive employees, but I found hard working, dedicated and interesting employees throughout my agency.

    So I want you to know I see you!

    Do work on getting your finances in order..start building an emergency fund. Look at what you can do. And maybe even take on a part time extra job for now to start building that fund.

    You will survive and thrive! Best wishes.

13. AnonymousFebruary 9,2025 at 2:50PM UTC

    Thank you for this response. People going through this don’t deserve the way it’s happening.

14. AnonymousMarch 29,2025 at 2:04PM UTC

    Thanks! Emergency fund in this economy? I live on my own. It costs $2000 for a roof and utilities.

15. AnonymousFebruary 9,2025 at 5:00PM UTC

    Do not quit, it is likely you will never see what the promise is for quitting. Start looking now for something new as a fail safe for what may unfortunately be coming. Those of us who did not vote for hate support you here. Thank you for supporting us. Hang in there.

16. Jennifer A.March 29,2025 at 1:52PM UTC

    i will not!

17. Changemaker828603February 9,2025 at 11:04PM UTC

    Losing a federal job is not the end of the world. I found better jobs in the private sector.

18. AnonymousMarch 29,2025 at 1:52PM UTC

    It is to me. Have some empathy! Do you know how many federal employees lost their jobs illegally? Do you know how competitive the job market is especially if you are over 40. Go ahead with your private sector job. You will see the trickle down effect from this and maybe you would have some understanding.

19. AnonymousFebruary 10,2025 at 12:12AM UTC

    I’m sorry to hear you, and federal employees as a whole, are going through this. There are ways to get by without a job and savings. A couple things you can do are take basis out of certain retirement accounts, or take out zero percent credit cards with balance transfers. I know these do not replace job security, nor help mental health but know there are ways to cover basic necessities.

20. Barb HansenFebruary 10,2025 at 12:41AM UTC

    33% of my family is feeling the effects of the current federal instability

    My husband (who is a cartographer/GIS guy) works for a government contractor and they are "on furlough for a week or two" until the company figures out if they sill have a contract with the US government. Fingers crossed his company's contract will continue but we don't know. He's currently looking for work outside of the federal government sphere, but who knows how long that will take.

    My daughter-in-law works at FEMA. She still has her role but for how long? She works in historical restoration and architectural preservation field. She's looking for another role and has a non-fed job interview lined up.

    You don't say what field you're in, but if it's in the tech space, you are welcome to connect with me on LinkedIn and if someone in my network is hiring, we can work on making the necessary connection.

21. AnonymousMarch 29,2025 at 2:07PM UTC

    Good morning,

    I am not in technology. I do have an Associates in Information Technology it’s outdated though,

22. AnonymousFebruary 10,2025 at 3:10PM UTC

    This is not helpful

23. AnonymousFebruary 10,2025 at 5:21PM UTC

    I'm in a similar boat and dealing with recurrent cancer and a boyfriend with Parkinson's disease. His kids don't help much at all so it all falls to me. I'm a good money manager and I'll be ok but this is NEEDLESSLY chaotic and cruel the way it's being done. Let's hope the judiciary helps out!

24. AnonymousFebruary 10,2025 at 9:17PM UTC

    In this day of uncertainty, what is certain is that people are still going to college, or trade schools. Many jobs reside in state run universities and state jobs in general. Not sure if that is of interest, but as a federal worker, you understand organizations that are run by governments. This could actually help you understand state government jobs and how we work. Take a look there and see if something in your area is of interest. Focus all that good energy you have on finding a new safer spot to work. Right now, I know people in your boat and quite frankly federal jobs in this climate are scary to me. Stay strong, update your resume, seek work in other places that provide a bit of a safety net.

25. AnonymousFebruary 14,2025 at 12:29PM UTC

    Good morning, my resume is ready for private sector. I’m looking at state jobs in MD and PA.

    I also unsubscribed from Fed forums my blood pressure is high ? and it was never high in my life until now.

26. AnonymousFebruary 14,2025 at 7:35PM UTC

    Private sector and state jobs are not the same. State agencies, universities and public colleges/universities are state run. Private sector jobs are considered corporate jobs. Which is fine of course. But for now, working for the federal government isn't all that safe IMHO.

27. Stephanie OakleyFebruary 11,2025 at 2:45PM UTC

    I am also a federal employee and empathize with your uncertainty. I’m not even an executive branch worker and my anxiety is through the roof. I’ve started looking at local job listings and getting an idea of what’s out there. I have found it is oftentimes easier to get on board with a temp or employment agency. Many have temp-to-hire positions and they give you an opportunity to explore different fields and get back in the networking game. I am very close to early retirement eligibility and have put a lot of thought into the fact that I’m of an age where employers will be considering my longevity. Temporary work seems to not have as much of an age bias. Good luck to you. You are not alone in this. One final thought…Reach out to EAP for financial guidance while it’s still available.

28. AnonymousMarch 29,2025 at 2:10PM UTC

    It’s been since I was here. I’m hoping you are still employed or you took one of the incentives to retire early.