reduction-in-force

RIF stands for 'reduction-in-force', a term used to describe formal workforce reductions in the federal government.

Federal law requires that reduction-in-force (RIF) procedures include a minimum 60 days' notice of a RIF's end date, or 30 days if a waiver is granted by the Office of Personnel Management; RIF notices are required to include information such as the reasons for the RIF and the effective date, and some agencies may need to notify unions or Congress.