Good morning!

Today, we're taking a look at layoffs in the federal government. Also in this issue:

😟 Layoffs, "quiet firing" leave workers "drained and stressed"
🏛️DOGE disbands early, leaving HR in flux
🤖AI to reshape jobs, skills, but won't replace humans

Here's a look at what we're seeing, what it means, what we're anticipating, what's resonating and what you think about today’s workplace. Let's get SMART!

The US government will reduce its workforce by 317,000 this year, surpassing earlier estimates, according to Scott Kupor, director of the Office of Personnel Management. The reduction aligns with the Trump administration's initiative to increase government efficiency.

Large-scale layoffs and "quiet firing" are significantly affecting the American workforce, with 70% of workers in a Zety report experiencing tactics such as increased workload without support and micromanagement. Additionally, 70% see return-to-office mandates as a way to push employees to quit, a theory supported by a BambooHR report. This environment has left workers feeling emotionally drained and stressed as they approach 2026, Zety career expert Jasmine Escalera writes.

The Department of Government Efficiency has been quietly disbanded eight months ahead of schedule, leaving the Office of Personnel Management to inherit its responsibilities. The initiative, led by Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy under President Donald Trump, resulted in over 200,000 federal job losses and significant spending cuts. The sudden dissolution has left government agencies scrambling to rebuild HR functions and ensure compliance.

Demand for AI fluency has surged nearly sevenfold in US job postings over just two years, outpacing the growth of any other skill. This sharp increase is observed across both STEM and non-STEM roles, with a particularly pronounced concentration in fields such as computing, business, management, and finance. The report reveals that while technical AI development skills are also in higher demand, the broader workforce now increasingly needs AI fluency to collaborate effectively with intelligent systems.

SmartBrief will not publish Nov. 27-28 in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday in the US.

How do you prepare for layoffs? Do you have any tips or tricks to share? Send me an email and let me know.

As always, let me know if there's a subject area or topic you want to see covered more. 

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