What Are Some Work Ideas for furloughed Government workers? (legally, bill)

[personone]

Originally Posted by Abraham Walker

It's over for the next 3 weeks.

Curious to see how federal employees react to the instability of working for the government. I'd bet that most people go on about their lives, other people will start to reduce their spending and increase their reserves, while other people leave federal government jobs.

This is an interesting article that looks at how some people are planning for the next few weeks:

https://www.npr.org/2019/01/28/68921...-shutdown-loom

One Attorney from the EPA said he is trying to work as many hours at his second job at Home Depot as he can in preparation. One couple, who are both feds, are contemplating whether it's smart for them to both be federal government employees or if it's better for one of them to switch to private.

That is pretty sad that being a federal government employee has come to that (an attorney working at Home Depot???? And couples questioning whether it's smart for them to both work at the government???)

The 2013 shutdown opened the gates (and caused more fear and hysteria among federal workers since it was a full one), but this partial shutdown has certainly continued the spiral of instability (or at least inconvenience- since employees eventually get paid) of government work. It will be interesting to see what happens next year at the end of September when the full government will need a budget and the shutdown threats surface again.

[ChristineVA]

Originally Posted by personone

The 2013 shutdown opened the gates (and caused more fear and hysteria among federal workers since it was a full one), but this partial shutdown has certainly continued the spiral of instability (or at least inconvenience- since employees eventually get paid) of government work. It will be interesting to see what happens next year at the end of September when the full government will need a budget and the shutdown threats surface again.

I agree. I always thought that if the DoD had been part of this shutdown (DoD is a major, countrywide employer), it would not have gone on as long.

[Piney Creek]

Originally Posted by personone

This is an interesting article that looks at how some people are planning for the next few weeks:

https://www.npr.org/2019/01/28/68921...-shutdown-loom

One Attorney from the EPA said he is trying to work as many hours at his second job at Home Depot as he can in preparation. One couple, who are both feds, are contemplating whether it's smart for them to both be federal government employees or if it's better for one of them to switch to private.

That is pretty sad that being a federal government employee has come to that (an attorney working at Home Depot???? And couples questioning whether it's smart for them to both work at the government???)

The 2013 shutdown opened the gates (and caused more fear and hysteria among federal workers since it was a full one), but this partial shutdown has certainly continued the spiral of instability (or at least inconvenience- since employees eventually get paid) of government work. It will be interesting to see what happens next year at the end of September when the full government will need a budget and the shutdown threats surface again.

Really makes you think. What's sad is the people who leave are usually the most competent ones, who can easily get a job somewhere else. Good new for local companies, I guess, since they're most likely the ones who will now get some fresh talent.

[Abraham Walker]

Originally Posted by Piney Creek

Good new for local companies, I guess, since they're most likely the ones who will now get some fresh talent.

Doubt this seriously.

Most of our market is made up of individuals who choose to live here because of the higher salaries. I suspect that we start to see more people than ever move out of the region in search of security and quality of life.

The government shutdown has exposed what I've already noticed while selling homes in this area for the past 5 years. Despite high incomes, most people are barely making ends meet.

That means that they will always struggle during government shutdowns.

Maybe this shutdown is the push some people need to pursue a better quality of life.

Another reason why I doubt that government workers will switch to a government contractor is the risk involved with the contract market. Dealing with contract instability every 5 - 7 years doesn't sound stable to me. Plus, some government contractors did not get paid during the shutdown.

Could you imagine missing a month of pay while still being able-bodied?

I can't.

The impact of government shutdowns won't be immediate but I know I will advise my kids that working for the government is risky. Is it as risky as working for the private sector, I don't think so. But, there is a risk that needs to be evaluated when making a choice between different opportunities.

[personone]

Originally Posted by Abraham Walker

Doubt this seriously.

Most of our market is made up of individuals who choose to live here because of the higher salaries. I suspect that we start to see more people than ever move out of the region in search of security and quality of life.

The government shutdown has exposed what I've already noticed while selling homes in this area for the past 5 years. Despite high incomes, most people are barely making ends meet.

That means that they will always struggle during government shutdowns.

Maybe this shutdown is the push some people need to pursue a better quality of life.

Another reason why I doubt that government workers will switch to a government contractor is the risk involved with the contract market. Dealing with contract instability every 5 - 7 years doesn't sound stable to me. Plus, some government contractors did not get paid during the shutdown.

Could you imagine missing a month of pay while still being able-bodied?

I can't.

The impact of government shutdowns won't be immediate but I know I will advise my kids that working for the government is risky. Is it as risky as working for the private sector, I don't think so. But, there is a risk that needs to be evaluated when making a choice between different opportunities.

Yes, I doubt government employees would leave the government to be a government contractor. As you said, that is even less stability and more risk than the government when it comes to shutdowns. I would think more would try to move into the private sector, although that is not easy, especially for upper level positions. Unless you have a transferable license/certification (CPA, MD/other healthcare, some JDs, etc) or in-demand IT/engineering skills and experience.

[Abraham Walker]

More evidence that government workers are starting to question their job security.

https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/l...504993622.html

I simply could not imagine the amount of anxiety going through government worker's minds right now as they wrap their minds around the reality that they do not have a secure work environment.

[back2MD]

https://twitter.com/jilevin/status/1...432371713?s=20

It’s really devastating not to be even considered for a retropay.


But hey at least you feds got your pay increase

[Abraham Walker]

Originally Posted by back2MD

https://twitter.com/jilevin/status/1...432371713?s=20

It’s really devastating not to be even considered for a retropay.


But hey at least you feds got your pay increase

Did government contractors believe that this bill would be passed? Is there a lobbying group for government contractors?

[Piney Creek]

Originally Posted by Abraham Walker

Did government contractors believe that this bill would be passed? Is there a lobbying group for government contractors?

I'm usually pretty jaded, but this time I was one of the people who believed it. Foolish me, I guess. Really sorry to see it didn't happen. It's just not right.

[Bigfoot424]

My agency falls under DOJ and we have blanket permission now to obtain other work during a shutdown. As long as it does not interfere with the work our agency does nor can it be the same kind of work we already do. Hard to explain but we can get other jobs if we need to.