The recent 43-day government shutdown has officially come to an end for Air Force and Space Force civilian employees, but service officials are cautioning that it may take some time for them to receive their backpay and return to their duties. On November 12, President Donald Trump signed a continuing resolution (CR) that was approved by both the Senate and House, effectively ending the longest shutdown in U.S. history and keeping the government funded through January 30.
With the CR in place, furloughed civilian workers were able to return to work starting November 13. However, uncertainty looms over how many of the approximately 334,000 furloughed Pentagon workers were ready to resume their roles on such short notice, especially since the signing occurred late in the evening.
The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has advised agency supervisors to be flexible for employees who may face challenges in returning to work immediately due to the shutdown’s duration. Veronica E. Hinton, OPM’s associate director of Workforce Policy and Innovation, emphasized in a memo that agencies should consider appropriate adjustments, such as flexible work schedules or personal leave.
Similarly, the Air Force has instructed supervisors to set “reasonable expectations” for their civilian workforce as they begin to return. Gwendolyn DeFilippi, the principal deputy assistant secretary of the Air Force for Manpower and Reserve Affairs, noted that leaders should consider the various logistical issues employees may encounter, such as transportation or childcare. Commanders and directors are authorized to grant up to eight hours of administrative leave or situational telework for one week following the CR’s passage.
Throughout the shutdown, many Airmen, Guardians, and civilian employees expressed concerns about meeting their financial obligations, including car payments and rent, as they faced unpaid status. While the Pentagon managed to fund earlier pay periods for military personnel, civilian workers suffered through the funding lapse without pay.
As employees return, one pressing question is when they will receive their overdue paychecks and the retroactive compensation for the days without work. DeFilippi made it clear that restoring pay for the civilian workforce is a priority, indicating that actions will be taken to prioritize pay for the upcoming November 21 pay date and then the backpay.
Although OPM has committed to ensuring that retroactive pay is processed as quickly as possible, no specific timeline has been provided. The Government Employee Fair Treatment Act of 2019 mandates that furloughed federal employees receive backpay promptly after appropriations are restored.
The upcoming tasks for agencies include determining if any furloughed workers received unemployment benefits during the shutdown period, as this could affect the calculations for retroactive pay. Additionally, proper deductions for retirement contributions need to be handled appropriately.
In an encouraging note, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Kenneth Wilsbach welcomed back civilian employees in a message, expressing pride in serving alongside them and emphasizing the importance of their roles in fulfilling the nation’s expectations of the Air Force.
Overall, while the end of the shutdown brings relief and a return to work for many, the logistical hurdles of reinstating pay and adjusting to operational needs will require careful management to support the returning workforce.