Resources for USGS Displaced Employees
Given that a RIF is planned, this document remains relevant but may require updating. In the meantime, we ask that our members share this information with recently displaced and current USGS employees but avoid providing it in a manner that would deliver the information through government computers, phones, or during work hours. Such delivery could bring unwelcome attention to the recipients.
We also ask that our members assist us with updating and improving the document with additional links to state unemployment and legal resources. Finally, we ask that our members encourage the professional organizations in which they are enrolled to permit fired or RIF’d USGS employees to freely access their employment billboards and job listings.
Selected Information for Reacting to and Preparing for Possible Dismissal as a Federal Employee
The USGS Retirees Organization adopted the following document by a group of retirees of the USGS Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center (FRESC) and several partner centers or agencies. We support the dedicated workforce of FRESC and other federal agencies, and all they do. We are saddened by the recent termination of probationary employees and seek ways to assist these employees. We also want to help current employees with information to prepare in the event they experience future adverse actions.
We are not lawyers or experts in human resources, and this information is not legal advice nor comprehensive. We will add to it as additional information comes to our attention. We encourage you to document your experiences to date in writing and compile documents about your employment that remain accessible to you. If you have been dismissed, you may want to individually appeal your dismissal or join a group lawsuit. We encourage you to connect with one of us if you want to use someone as a sounding board to discuss your specific issues and possibilities.
Links to Government Websites
White House Executive Order on February 11, 2025: Implementing the President’s “Department of Government Efficiency” Workforce Optimization Initiative
U.S. Merit Systems Protection Board: How to File an Appeal
U.S. Merit Systems Protection Board: Identifying Probationers and Their Rights
Office of Personnel Management: Federal Health Insurance Termination, Conversion and Temporary Continuation of Coverage
Office of Personnel Management: Reductions in Force (note all 4 tabs have useful information about the process and your rights)
Healthcare.gov: Quick Guide to the Health Insurance Marketplace
Department of Commerce: eOPF Download Instructions
USGS Employee Assistance Program: Confidential Counseling and Consultation
Links to Government Websites for Unemployment
Unemployment Compensation for Federal Employee
Links to Non-governmental Websites
National Association of Forest Service Retirees: Statement of Support and Resource Guide (abbreviated version presented below with permission of association)
Civil Service Strong: Probationary and Trial Period Mass Terminations
Financial Planning for Feds Video Episode 33: “THE PLAN” from DOGE: RIFs, OPM and You
Government Executive: Retirement: How to navigate the current chaos
Government Executive: Thousands join class actions as fired feds weigh options to challenge Trump's moves
Federal Workers Rights: Update on litigation challenging probationary employee terminations
Crowdsourcing Advice for Federal Employees (includes templates for supervisors asking for specifics about employees’ performance that led to termination)
National Association of Retired Federal Employees: Emerging Threats to the Federal Community
Civil Service Strong: Data Call for Probationary Employees (to gather information by law group to share with Office of Special Counsel)
Abbreviated Version of Resource Guide for Current Federal Employees
(adapted from National Association of Forest Service Retirees)
Continue to do your job to the best of your ability.
Document what you do in your job.
Document what happens to you.
Ask your supervisor to conduct a performance appraisal so that you have a current performance rating.
Anticipate the loss of computer access, email, and internal networks.
Gather any personal records and contacts.
Print or safely download copies of your personal employment records, including
performance plans and ratings
electronic Official Personnel File (eOPF)
position description and organization chart where you are assigned
recent earnings and leave statement showing balances for your leave and any credit hours.
recent benefits statements showing health insurance (FEHB), life insurance (FEGLI), Thrift Savings Plan (TSP), and retirement details.
Compile phone, email, and public web site information for supervisors, colleagues, and organizations you may need to contact if you leave.
Remove personal items from the office.
If notified of termination or other personnel action, ask questions about anything you need clarity on, including the reasons for the change, what happens to your leave, timesheet, and benefits, and if you have appeal rights.
If placed on administrative leave, ask:
Who is your point of contact if you have questions during the leave period?
Who will be updating and approving your timesheet and what will happen to your accrued annual leave and credit hours?
Will your health and life insurance, retirement and TSP contributions continue?
What options do you have to continue FEHB health insurance when your job ends?
Can you access your TSP funds when your job ends?
Are you eligible for early, optional, discontinued service, or deferred retirement?
Consider support from the USGS Employee Assistance Program.
Talk to your family about what could happen and what options you might have if you lose your job.
Consider if you are eligible for retirement now. Contact HR to determine if you are eligible. If you are eligible, consider completing retirement paperwork. The actual date of retirement can be changed.
Consider contacting an attorney whose focus is federal employment law to get advice on how to proceed.
Additional Information for Recently Fired or Soon to be Fired Employees
If you were not able to get your federal records prior to firing, reach out to your human resources contact to help get the materials as described above.
Federal employees who lose their jobs can apply for unemployment benefits under the Unemployment Compensation for Federal Employees program (UCFE), which is administered by the states and the same as regular unemployment insurance benefits. UCFE claims should be filed in the state where the federal employee’s last official duty station was located. Fired employees can file for unemployment benefits even if the reason for firing is stated as a performance issue.
• Consider whether to file an appeal through the MSPB (How to File an Appeal). Fired probationary employees have limited appeal rights to the MSPB, but it is still worth filing an appeal. You have 30 days to file an appeal, 45 days if you feel the firing is related to discrimination (email: deo_complaints@usgs.gov).
• Consider whether to join a class action lawsuit. You may not be able to file both an individual appeal and join a class action lawsuit. This is a data call for fired probationary employees that is being used to gather information by Alden Law to be shared with the Office of Special Counsel.
• Depending on your situation, there may be options for insurance benefits. Tammy Flanagan-Gov Exec Article-20Feb2025-Insurance Coverage After Leaving Govt Service.pdf. Healthcare.gov provides additional guidance at the Health Insurance Marketplace.
• Ask your supervisor if they could do a final performance appraisal or write a letter of recommendation that could be used in applying for new positions. This would allow you to address any performance concerns mentioned in a firing memo.
Contact your Congressional representatives to let them know you were fired under the recent DOGE and Federal administration actions.
Consider contacting an attorney whose focus is federal employment law to get advice on how to proceed.
Please know you are valued and the work you do or did is valued by many. You are not alone.