trump at-will federal workers: The Shock of Job Insecurity Drove Me to Demand My Own Worth—Here’s How You Can, Too.
I was a federal employee for over a decade, coasting on the myth of lifelong stability. When the latest executive order stirred up the "trump at-will federal workers" debate, I felt the ground shift beneath me. Suddenly, my career could end with a single signature—no cause, no warning. At first, I panicked. But that panic turned into a lifeline. I realized my self-worth had been tied to a job title, not my own skills or boundaries. I started asking for raises, setting firm work-life limits, and building a side hustle. The irony? By preparing to be let go, I became indispensable.