The world of federal HR is a rollercoaster right now. With sweeping policy changes, legal showdowns, and a race to fill jobs after mass departures, workers and managers are buckling up for a bumpy ride. Here’s a snapshot of what’s unfolding—and what it means for the everyday person behind the desk.
A Judge Says ‘Not So Fast’ on Union Crackdown The latest headline-grabber is a federal judge’s decision to block the Trump administration’s attempt to end most federal collective bargaining agreements. The judge called the executive order unlawful, noting it threatened to strip protections for hundreds of thousands of federal workers—about 75% of the workforce—and covered agencies as wide-ranging as the CDC, the FCC, Justice, and even the Department of Agriculture. The rationale? National security. But the judge wasn’t convinced, pointing out agencies like Agriculture have little to do with national security. The case is now in limbo as the government appeals, but for now, the unions can keep bargaining.
HR expert Emily M. Dickens of SHRM puts it this way: “The first 100 days of any new administration carry tons of change. What makes this 100 days different is the whirlwind of executive orders.”
Agencies Pay to Lose—Then Scramble to Hire Meanwhile, the push to shrink the federal workforce has created its own chaos. After offering buyouts and early outs, several agencies found themselves short-staffed and—ironically—immediately rehiring for the same roles they just tried to eliminate. Take the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, where hundreds took the buyout only to see their jobs advertised again within 24 hours. “We are now all at home, being paid to stay home while they announce, less than 24 hours later, our jobs,” said one baffled employee.
Policy Whirlwind Leaves Everyone Guessing With more than 140 executive orders in just the first 100 days, the speed and scale of change have left HR professionals, managers, and employees scrambling to keep up. Half of U.S. workers report that recent policy shifts have directly affected their jobs, according to Brightmine research. The rules seem to change almost overnight, making long-term planning feel like a game of musical chairs.
State vs. Federal Patchwork Adds to the Mess While federal enforcement loosens in some areas, state and local governments are stepping up their own rules, especially around issues like DEI and accommodation for remote work, mental health, and religious beliefs. It’s a patchwork quilt of policies, and HR departments are left to stitch it all together.
What’s Next? Experts agree: Uncertainty is the new normal. The only thing that’s certain is more change—and more stories of workers caught in the middle. As the legal battles play out and agencies try to right the ship, everyone is watching to see what the next wave of policy will bring.
In summary: • Judge halts Trump’s union bargaining ban—for now. • Agencies pay workers to leave, then rehire for the same jobs. • HR teams and workers are overwhelmed by constant policy shifts. • State and local rules fill gaps left by federal rollbacks. • Uncertainty is the only constant in today’s workplace.
References:
- https://www.shrm.org/topics-tools/employment-law-compliance/judge-blocks-trumps-federal-collective-bargaining-ban
- https://www.worklife.news/leadership/people-managers-analyze-impact-of-trumps-first-100-days-and-wonder-whats-ahead/
- https://www.kpbs.org/news/politics/2025/05/03/after-paying-people-to-leave-one-federal-agency-is-scrambling-to-fill-positions
- https://www.shrm.org/topics-tools/topics
- https://www.conference-board.org/publications/publicationdetail.cfm?publicationid=26237
- https://www.queens.edu/internships/wp-content/uploads/sites/21/2025/04/CareerDevelopmentGuide2022a.pdf
- https://www.littler.com/news-analysis/littler-report/littler-annual-employer-survey-2025
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Department_of_Government_Efficiency
