Endless Thread A fork (still) in the road
20 snips
Oct 3, 2025 Federal employees face the stress of a government overhaul, marked by the 'Fork in the Road' email and the DOGE executive order. Stories from the r/FedNews subreddit reveal how members have navigated layoffs, resignations, and mental strain during these turbulent times. One participates in the Deferred Resignation Program, weighing financial factors and personal challenges, while another recounts being laid off just weeks into his new job. As a government shutdown looms, the conversation turns to job security and the impact of political priorities on federal workers.
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From Tech To Federal Work
- Fearful Fed left tech for public service and now fears for his job after agency shakeups.
- He found community and information on r/FedNews as the DOGE orders and OPM emails rolled out.
Policy Sparks Online Support
- The DOGE executive order and OPM emails transformed FedNews from niche to essential for many employees.
- That shift shows how top-down policy changes can rapidly create new informal support networks.
OPM Emails Felt Like Harassment
- OPM's fork-in-the-road and follow-up FAQs felt insulting and condescending to many employees.
- Fearful Fed recounts an OPM email implying employees might be "more productive outside the federal workforce."