Federal Workers and the Shutdown: What's the Deal with Back Pay?

The government shutdown has left many federal workers in a tough spot. With no paychecks coming in, they're worried about how they'll make ends meet. But there's some good news: a law passed in 2019 says that once the shutdown is over, these workers should get their back pay.

Who Gets Back Pay?

• Both furloughed workers and those who are still working but not getting paid are covered.
• That's about 1.4 million people.
• The law says they'll get paid for the time they missed, at their regular rate.

Confusion Around Back Pay

• A memo from the White House suggests furloughed workers might not get back pay.
• This goes against what the law says and what experts believe.

• Legal experts are pretty sure that the law is clear: federal workers should get their back pay.

• The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) initially said both furloughed and excepted employees would get paid retroactively.
• But they updated their guidance, and now it's not so clear.
• The White House hasn't said much about it either.

When Will Back Pay Arrive?

• As soon as the shutdown ends, according to the law.
• But with no end in sight, it's hard to say when that will be.
• Federal workers are in a tough spot, and it's not clear when they'll see their next paycheck.

Government Contractors

• They're not covered by the same law, so they might not get back pay.
• They can keep working and getting paid if their contracts are fully funded, but that's not always the case.

Unemployment Benefits

• Federal workers might be eligible for them during the shutdown.
• But if they get back pay later, it will be applied against any unemployment benefits they received.
• Excepted workers, who are still working, usually can't get unemployment benefits.