Explainer: Resign or Be Fired?

You’ve been asked to do something—or not do something—that doesn’t sit right. This explainer has guidance on determining if there are rules or laws at play, and practical impacts of being fired or choosing to resign.

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Table of contents

Additional resources

Guides & Assistance

Additional RIF Resources

Civil Service Strong

Additional resources for those federal workers affected by a RIF.

Reductions in Force

Fact Sheets & FAQs

You Are Not Alone: A Resource Guide for Civil Servants Affected by the Supreme Court’s RIF Decision

Civil Service Strong

Resource guide for civil servants affected by the Supreme Court's RIF decision on Tuesday, July 8th, 2025.

Reductions in Force

Research & Analysis

Dear Civil Servant: The “Patriot” in the Cubicle Next Door

Protect Democracy

This newsletter breaks down OPM’s new hiring memo and a proposed “suitability and fitness” rule that would give the administration broad power to decide who gets to become — or remain — a tenured civil servant.

Fact Sheets & FAQs

What the RIF just happened?

Protect Democracy

How to understand courts’ rulings pausing RIFs and agency closures

Reductions in Force

Fact Sheets & FAQs

Fact Sheet: OPM Issues Proposed Rulemaking To Implement Forced Distribution of SES Ratings

Civil Service Strong

Summary of the Trump Administration's proposed rule to limit the percentage of career SES who can receive top ratings.

SES

Research & Analysis

Attacks on the Federal Workforce Target Women and People of Color

National Women's Law Center

The report shows how the administration’s sweeping attacks on the federal workforce particularly harms women and people of color.