Government Shutdown Deadlines Approach

​For the 3rd time in just the past 4 months, we are facing the prospect of a government shutdown. Each of these deadlines causes stress and uncertainty for all of us and for all of our families. Even in cases where a shutdown is averted at the last minute, these deadlines can also cause major disruptions for the work that we do, especially where TDY travel is involved.

To make matters worse, this time the deadline for a government shutdown has been split in two, with some government employees being subject to a 19 JAN shutdown date, while others will be subject to a 2 FEB shutdown date. While many of the details on how specific individuals will be affected are not yet known, it should be assumed that some Corps employees will be subject to the 19 JAN deadline, while others will be subject to the 2 FEB deadline, and others will be able to remain working past both deadlines.

Whether you as an individual will be subject to furlough after 19 JAN, subject to furlough after 2 FEB, or able to continue working during the shutdown will depend upon the exact way in which your labor is funded. USACE Employees whose activities are funded by non-appropriated funds may be classified as “exempt” from the furlough and continue to work through the lapse in appropriations. Other USACE employees may be informed that they are “excepted” from furlough and ordered to report to work during the shutdown. Both furloughed and excepted federal employees will not be paid during the shutdown. However, the law requires that all Federal employees are paid in full as soon as possible once government funding is restored and the shutdown ends.

​In any case, plan on reporting to work on Monday, 22 JAN, as you normally would (and doing the same again on Monday, 5 FEB, if not already in a furlough status). Your supervisor should be able to inform you of your status on the first day of a shutdown, if not sooner.

If you have further questions about the shutdown procedures in your office and/or you have concerns about those procedures being administered fairly, contact your local union rep, let them know what’s going on, and ask if they can do something to help. Additional information and resources can be found at the following webpage created by IFPTE staff to help any Federal employees who might be affected: https://www.ifpte.org/shutdown.