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Civil Rights for Civil Servants

Civil Rights for Civil Servants

Probation and Beyond: Surviving The Most Dangerous Year of Your Federal Career

Jul 3, 2026 · 1h 23m

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About this episode

Your probationary year is the year the law protects you least — and the year your agency can move you out without proving much of anything. Though these days, many people who have survived their probationary year feel like they're under similar strain. Regardless of how you feel about your legal protections, and regardless of what those protections are, are there other steps you can take to protect your career? Southworth PC attorneys Shaun Southworth and Lydia Taylor break down surviving the federal probationary period — and why, after 18 months of RIFs and reorganizations, even employees with years of service feel just as exposed. They're joined by communication coach Ken Canion on…