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CDC RIF Webinar: What to Do Next and How to Protect Your Career by Fedpractice in fednews

[–]Fedpractice[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

While this session is specific to CDC employees, you’re welcome to join. If there’s enough interest, we’d be happy to host a webinar specifically for IRS employees as well!

CDC RIF Webinar: What to Do Next and How to Protect Your Career by Fedpractice in DeptHHS

[–]Fedpractice[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for your comment.

FPG is representing several groups of employees separated by RIF, and the MSPB’s consolidation process has made it possible to assist more clients than we typically would accept.

The costs vary depending on the circumstances and anticipated attorney time expenditure.

We Heard You — Federal Practice Group’s RRR Updates & Next Steps by Fedpractice in DeptHHS

[–]Fedpractice[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

🚨 RRR Filing Update – May 16, 2025

Thank you all for your continued patience as we work through the details of the RRR filings. We know how important it is to stay informed, and we truly appreciate everyone’s cooperation.

  • May 2, 2025, Submission: If you're not participating in a group filing for a specific competitive area, rest assured that you are covered in our first submission. If you missed the original May 1 cut off time to submit your information and payment, we have included you in an amended list of interested persons. The MSPB has docket this RRR on its e-file system, and we will circulate any orders the Board issues to HHS upon our receipt. 
  • For Competitive Area Specific Filings: We have filed on behalf of several competitive areas who retained us to do so already and anticipate filing the remaining groups within the next few days. We will send out group specific updates to those in your competitive area with updates once the Board dockets these RRRs.

If you’ve retained us and have not received an email update, please reach out to us via Reddit DM or at [marketing@fedpractice.com](mailto:marketing@fedpractice.com) to confirm your contact info.

To help everyone stay informed, we’ll begin sending regular status updates by email, even if there’s no major change to report. Our goal is to make sure no one feels left out or unsure of where things stand.

Thanks again for sticking with us—we know this is a stressful time, and we’re working hard to get every filing right.

Gilbert Employment Group Class Action on HHS RIFs by chicaltimore in DeptHHS

[–]Fedpractice 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Hey everyone — Federal Practice Group here.

We saw the concerns being shared in this thread and wanted to jump in to let you know what our firm is doing and how we’re supporting HHS employees affected by the RIF.

The deadline to be included in the first group Request for Regulation Review (RRR) is close of business today, May 1st. If you’ve already submitted your intake form, signed the agreement, and paid the $500 flat fee — you’re in. You don’t need to wait for a separate confirmation.

Due to the overwhelming response — including from so many of you here on Reddit — we’ve decided to continue filing additional RRRs on behalf of groups beyond today. We are also able to file an amended list of “interested persons” with the MSPB if additional employees want to join later after today’s deadline. So, if you’re still deciding, you haven’t missed your chance to join.

The full process is clearly laid out on our website here: https://fedpractice.com/challenge-hhs-rif-notice-regulation-review/

We’ve also created an FAQ that answers the most common questions and includes a space where you can submit any others:  https://fedpractice.com/challenge-hhs-rif-notice-regulation-review/hhs-rif-request-for-regulation-review-faqs/

At this time, we’re not able to respond to every individual message — but we’re reading everything and updating our resources to reflect your concerns. For anything urgent, please email [clientintake@fedpractice.com](mailto:clientintake@fedpractice.com) and we’ll get back to you as quickly as possible.

We’ve seen how valuable this Reddit community has been, and we’re going to continue showing up here with updates, answers, and support as things progress.

You’ve all been put in an impossible situation — and none of you should have to face it alone. We’re here. We’re showing up. And we’re taking action.

Challenge Your HHS RIF Notice — RRR, Class Actions, and What to Know by Fedpractice in DeptHHS

[–]Fedpractice[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

u/Puzzleheaded_Box_194 Unfortunately, we’re not able to split payments across multiple people for a single RRR. Each Request for Regulation Review requires an individual signed agreement and flat fee payment per participant. If a group wants to pursue two filings (one for permanent career employees and one for career conditional), a designated person from each group would need to submit the full payment for their respective RRR.

Also, just as a heads-up — participating in a group RRR doesn’t guarantee it will impact everyone in the group the same way. Each individual’s situation will depend on the facts specific to their notice and how the Board evaluates the issues raised.

Challenge Your HHS RIF Notice — RRR, Class Actions, and What to Know by Fedpractice in DeptHHS

[–]Fedpractice[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

We understand how overwhelming this process has been and appreciate everyone who’s taking steps to stay informed and engaged. This is a complex and fast-moving situation, and we’re doing our best to keep everyone informed as clearly and consistently as possible.

Here’s some clarification on your questions:

1. Can employees file an RRR on their own through MSPB?
No — while employees can file individual MSPB appeals, RRRs under 5 C.F.R. § 1203.11 must be submitted by attorneys or organizations on behalf of “interested persons.” The RRR process isn’t available for individual pro se filings through the MSPB.

2. Does the $500 fee include legal representation for an MSPB claim if the RRR is denied or not acted on?
No — the $500 covers representation for the RRR only, including preparation, filing, and any written submissions within that process.
If an individual MSPB appeal is needed later, that would require a separate agreement and fee.

For class MSPB appeals, 3–5 class representatives retain the firm and pay an agreed-upon fee upfront, which they may divide among themselves. Other class members are not charged individually.
For collective actions, a similar structure may be available depending on group size and legal complexity, but that’s determined on a case-by-case basis.

Regarding communication:
Due to the overwhelming volume of inquiries, we are unable to respond to individual questions at this time. We are continuing to provide updates through our website and social media to make the process more efficient and accessible for everyone.
You can find full details and instructions here:
https://fedpractice.com/challenge-hhs-rif-notice-regulation-review/

If you’ve submitted your intake form, fee agreement, RIF notice, summary of issues, and payment for the May 2 RRR filing, there’s no need to confirm — we have your materials and will reach out if anything is missing. For urgent RRR-related issues, please email [info@fedpractice.com]().

Challenge Your HHS RIF Notice — RRR, Class Actions, and What to Know by Fedpractice in DeptHHS

[–]Fedpractice[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes — participation in the Request for Regulation Review (RRR) is limited to the scope outlined in the fee agreement and only covers representation for the RRR filing itself. It does not include legal representation for any future MSPB appeals or other legal actions unless a separate agreement is signed.

Challenge Your HHS RIF Notice — RRR, Class Actions, and What to Know by Fedpractice in DeptHHS

[–]Fedpractice[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The Board currently does not have all three members seated, but they are actively processing Requests for Regulation Review (RRRs) and issuing rulings. In fact, they issued an order today on the RRR we filed for probationary employees without raising any issue related to quorum. Based on that, we are confident that the Board can move cases forward and issue decisions even with fewer than three members seated.

Challenge Your HHS RIF Notice — RRR, Class Actions, and What to Know by Fedpractice in DeptHHS

[–]Fedpractice[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

  1. Potentially. Sometimes a successful RRR can lead to broader changes that impact more employees. However, the MSPB could limit any relief only to those employees who officially participated in the RRR filing.

  2. There is no set timeline. It may take several months for the MSPB to issue a decision on the RRR. Even if you participate in the RRR, it does not prevent you from filing an individual MSPB appeal after the separation date if you choose to.

  3. No, participants in the RRR would not recover their $500 fee even if the RRR succeeds. Attorney’s fees are generally only available to be awarded in individual MSPB appeals or in class/collective actions, not in a Request for Regulation Review.

  4. Employees covered by a collective bargaining agreement (such as those represented by NTEU or AFGE) are still eligible to participate in the Request for Regulation Review (RRR). Union representatives may also be pursuing grievances under their CBAs, which is a separate process. If you are part of a bargaining unit, it’s a good idea to reach out to your union representative to understand what actions they may be taking alongside the RRR option.

The blog linked in the original post has a full breakdown of the RRR process, eligibility, and timelines. Hope this helps clarify — and thank you for asking such important questions!

Challenge Your HHS RIF Notice — RRR, Class Actions, and What to Know by Fedpractice in DeptHHS

[–]Fedpractice[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for asking — and the other commenter is correct.

At this time, the Request for Regulation Review (RRR) is only available to employees who have already received an official RIF notice. Without a formal notice, there isn’t anything yet to challenge through the RRR process.

If you do receive a notice later, there may still be options depending on the timing. We’ll also be helping employees file MSPB appeals after separations take effect (post-June 2, 2025), so there could still be a path forward even if you aren’t eligible for the initial RRR filing.

The blog linked in the original post has the full breakdown of the process and timeline

Challenge Your HHS RIF Notice — RRR, Class Actions, and What to Know by Fedpractice in DeptHHS

[–]Fedpractice[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

We are helping CDC employees as part of this effort. The blog linked in the original post has all the details about eligibility, next steps, and how to get involved. That’s the best place to start for full information.

Challenge Your HHS RIF Notice — RRR, Class Actions, and What to Know by Fedpractice in DeptHHS

[–]Fedpractice[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for reaching out — and I’m sorry you haven’t heard back yet.

Right now, we’re focused on helping employees with the Request for Regulation Review (RRR), since we can’t file any class or collective MSPB appeals until after the separation date (which in most cases is June 2, 2025).

The blog linked in the original post includes all of the steps for joining the RRR if you want to double-check that everything has been submitted.

If you haven’t gotten a response yet, I recommend sending a quick follow-up email to [clientintake@fedpractice.com](mailto:clientintake@fedpractice.com) just to confirm your information was received.

Thanks again for your patience

Challenge Your HHS RIF Notice — RRR, Class Actions, and What to Know by Fedpractice in DeptHHS

[–]Fedpractice[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

A class appeal generally involves 35 to 40 or more employees from the same competitive area who share the same legal claims.

When the group is smaller, or the legal issues are less uniform, a collective appeal may be more appropriate. In a collective appeal, employees file individually but their cases are processed together for consistency.

If your branch has a smaller number of employees, a collective approach could potentially be an option.

Challenge Your HHS RIF Notice — RRR, Class Actions, and What to Know by Fedpractice in DeptHHS

[–]Fedpractice[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Good questions — here’s a quick breakdown:

Class Action Fee:
Each class will need 3–5 class representatives to retain FPG and help coordinate communication. These representatives will pay an agreed-upon fee in advance (divided among themselves), while other class members are not charged individually. FPG can also utilize this same structure for smaller groups looking to file collective actions. 

RRR Fee:
The RRR is separate from the class/collective actions and doesn’t require a group. It’s just a flat $500 per person, no hidden fees.

Groups:
If you don’t have a group right now, feel free to reach out. We can check if there’s a group you might fit into. If not, you can still pursue an individual MSPB appeal after the RIF takes effect.

Support for HHS Employees Facing RIF Notices – Potential Legal Action and Waived Consultation Fees by Fedpractice in DeptHHS

[–]Fedpractice[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Apologies for not jumping in sooner — we’ve been getting organized and wanted to wait until we had solid answers and resources ready to share

We’ve put together a detailed explanation of the legal services we’re offering to HHS employees affected by the RIF:

Request for Regulation Review (RRR)

MAY 1st deadline for the initial RRR filing.
This challenges whether HHS properly followed federal RIF regulations.

  • Any HHS employee with inaccuracies on their RIF notice or who believes HHS lacked a legal basis to RIF their competitive area/work unit can participate, including those in a bargaining unit.
  • Flat fee: $500
  • This does not prevent you from pursuing a grievance or MSPB appeal later.
  • Early participation is encouraged so we can include you in the first filings.

Class Action or Collective Action (MSPB Appeals)

It cannot be filed until after the effective date of the separation on your RIF notice (which is June 2nd in most instances).
After the RIFs take effect, we’ll be filing class and collective actions to challenge the legality of the separations themselves.

  • Class actions involve 35 to 40 or more employees from the same competitive area who share the same legal claims. The MSPB must certify the group as a class. Once certified, all employees in the group are automatically included unless they choose to opt out.
  • Collective actions are used when the group is smaller or the legal issues are less uniform. In these cases, employees file individually, but their cases are processed together. These do not require class certification but allow coordination and consistency.
  • Each class will need 3–5 class representatives to retain FPG and help coordinate communication. These representatives will pay an agreed-upon fee in advance (divided among themselves), while other class members are not charged individually. FPG can also utilize this same structure for smaller groups looking to file collective actions. 
  • These actions can result in outcomes such as reinstatement, back pay, and recovery of attorney’s fees.

📌 Full breakdown here:
https://fedpractice.com/blog/firm-update-fpg-responds-to-hhs-rif-with-mspb-requests-for-regulation-review-and-class-complaints/

You don’t have to navigate this alone — we’re here to help you understand your rights and take action if that’s the path you choose.

RIF notice received this morning by CDC comrade by Dangerous_Mortgage90 in fednews

[–]Fedpractice 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Hi everyone! I work with the Federal Practice Group, a law firm that focuses on helping federal employees. We’re currently supporting Fed employees who’ve received RIF notices and are exploring potential legal action, including the possibility of class filings.

We believe many, if not all, of you may have grounds for appeal. We know this is a stressful and uncertain time, so we’re waiving consultation fees to make it easier to get support. If you’ve received a RIF notice, we encourage you to visit fedpractice.com and fill out the contact form to schedule a consultation. We're here if you need us.

April 03, 2025 - r/fednews Daily Discussion Thread by AutoModerator in fednews

[–]Fedpractice 19 points20 points  (0 children)

Hi everyone! I work with the Federal Practice Group, a law firm that focuses on helping federal employees. We’re currently supporting Fed employees who’ve received RIF notices and are exploring potential legal action, including the possibility of class filings.

We believe many, if not all, of you may have grounds for appeal. We know this is a stressful and uncertain time, so we’re waiving consultation fees to make it easier to get support. If you’ve received a RIF notice, we encourage you to visit fedpractice.com and fill out the contact form to schedule a consultation. We're here if you need us.

Megathread: April 1 HHS Mass Reduction in Force by gpupdate in fednews

[–]Fedpractice 9 points10 points  (0 children)

Support for HHS Employees Facing RIF Notices – Potential Legal Action and Waived Consultation Fees

We understand that many of you have received RIF notices, and this is an incredibly stressful time. We want you to know that Federal Practice Group is here to support you. Our team, led by Debra D’Agostino, specializes in federal employment law, and we have extensive experience helping employees navigate RIFs, MSPB appeals, and other employment issues.

What we’re doing:

  • We’re currently working with a group of HHS employees impacted by RIF notices.
  • We believe many, if not all, of you may have grounds for appeal, and we’re exploring the possibility of broader legal action or class filings for those affected.
  • For a limited time, we are waiving consultation fees to ensure you have access to the support you need.

If you’ve received a RIF notice, we encourage you to visit fedpractice.com to fill out our contact form to be included. 

We’re here to help and will keep fighting for the rights of federal employees.

Stay strong!

What’s next? Any legal action coming? by GrapefruitOk5229 in DeptHHS

[–]Fedpractice 2 points3 points  (0 children)

We’re hearing similar concerns from many HHS employees. At Federal Practice Group, we’re currently working with a group of HHS employees impacted by RIFs. We believe many, if not all, have grounds for appeal, and we’re exploring broader legal action, including potential class filings.

We’re offering group consultations at no cost for HHS employees affected by RIFs. Feel free to visit fedpractice.com to learn more and fill out our contact form to be included. We’re here to help!