Uncertainty about working Monday

[wvjules]

OK so as the shutdown, or not, looms we have no idea if we are working Monday or not. I am a contractor so even if the government shuts down our superiors, corporate and military personnel, still aren't sure if we are working or not. Now, a few days off would be fine by me. But a little notice would be nice so I could rearrange some medical appointments and move them all to next week since I would be off anyway but no....we are stuck in limbo and it kind of sucks.

Thanks for listening.

 

[SaraJayne]

The only thing that disgusts me about the whole gov "shutdown" is the gov won't say if our service members serving in Iraq and Afghanistan will get paid.

Really? REALLY??

 

[wvjules]

I honestly can't imagine them NOT paying the military during the furlough. That would be political suicide.

 

[monkeybug]

My husband is in the Military, and he said that if the government shut down happens he still has to go to work and will not be paid. I have no idea how accurate that is or where he got his information, but plan for the worst and hope for the best is the approach we are taking.

 

[Magic Mom]

OK so as the shutdown, or not, looms we have no idea if we are working Monday or not. I am a contractor so even if the government shuts down our superiors, corporate and military personnel, still aren't sure if we are working or not. Now, a few days off would be fine by me. But a little notice would be nice so I could rearrange some medical appointments and move them all to next week since I would be off anyway but no....we are stuck in limbo and it kind of sucks.

Thanks for listening.

It's so nerve wracking. I have many friends who are DOD employees. I'm a contractor but it's just my part time job so I wouldn't be affected as much. I've heard that even military pay may be delayed.

 

[3princessmom83]

My husband is in the military and he won't get paid.

 

[elmo2wdw]

In the past they have retro paid those that were furloughed. I too work for the governement and went throught this in the 90s. We did not get paid during the furlough but when the budget was finalized and passed they did retro pay us in a lump sum.

 

[Christine]

wvjules,

I work for the government and we haven't gotten any word, really, either. They are intentionally keeping things quiet so as not to demoralize the workforce. Yeah, right.

Anyway, our instructions that we must show up Monday, even if a budget is not decided on over the weekend. At that time, we will be told to go home and we have to sign some papers. We will not be allowed to use any accrued leave during the shut down. Essential people will stay at work and won't get paid until the government opens up and payroll processing begins.

Depending on the type of contract you work on, you may be forced to stay home or you might still be able to work. I've *heard* that fixed fee contracts can continue to operate while cost plus cannot. Additionally, it would be up to the owners of your company to decide if they want to have you paid or not as it would come out of profit and not direct charge rates.

As for the military, so far, they will be unpaid until payroll is up and running. I believe Congress wanted to enact some emergency bill to get around that but it has not been done.

 

[monkeybug]

My husband is in the military and he won't get paid.

Hello fellow Annapolis Military wife!!

What makes this whole thing *extra* (insert heavy sarcasm here) exciting for me is that we are going to Disney in a month and then moving to Ca. a few weeks after, both of which take money! I'm sure everything will be worked out before then, but I worry about our PCS money being delayed.
We are brilliant and decided to move during Commissioning week. So a night at the Westin that normally runs $140 is now $250. Oh, THAT is going to be so FUN to pay out of pocket!!! And gas to California @ almost $4.00 a gallon? Yipee!!!!

 

[wvjules]

wvjules,

I work for the government and we haven't gotten any word, really, either. They are intentionally keeping things quiet so as not to demoralize the workforce. Yeah, right.

Anyway, our instructions that we must show up Monday, even if a budget is not decided on over the weekend. At that time, we will be told to go home and we have to sign some papers. We will not be allowed to use any accrued leave during the shut down. Essential people will stay at work and won't get paid until the government opens up and payroll processing begins.

Depending on the type of contract you work on, you may be forced to stay home or you might still be able to work. I've *heard* that fixed fee contracts can continue to operate while cost plus cannot. Additionally, it would be up to the owners of your company to decide if they want to have you paid or not as it would come out of profit and not direct charge rates.As for the military, so far, they will be unpaid until payroll is up and running. I believe Congress wanted to enact some emergency bill to get around that but it has not been done.

That's what we've heard. Now, I have heard our division is essential and do know that a lot of our government counterparts are going to work due to being essential but the $64,000 is if our contract is essential. Honestly, the military personnel CAN'T do their work without us doing the legwork beforehand which leads me to believe that we are going to be considered essential.

As for my employer paying us out of their pocket...fat chance. We all had to use our vacation and LWOP during the blizzards last year. It will be the same this go 'round.

 

[Hoodie]

THe handling of preparations has been very poor. We have heard that our agency will operate as normal with minimal restrictions - but only by word of mouth. We've received no guidance whatsoever on what we're supposed to do, what is restricted, how benefits will be handled, will we be paid now or later, etc. Just a couple of the VPs stating that we still need to come in as usual.

We know that preparations and guidelines have been developed, but they aren't sharing them. This hasn't gone unnoticed - the federal workers union has sued the White House because of the lack of information.
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/201...ues-white-house-possible-government-shutdown/

Per federal news radio, OPM has started releasing updated FAQs, but that really doesn't address agency by agency plans.

It's a mess.

 

[Scrappy_Tink]

THe handling of preparations has been very poor. We have heard that our agency will operate as normal with minimal restrictions - but only by word of mouth. We've received no guidance whatsoever on what we're supposed to do, what is restricted, how benefits will be handled, will we be paid now or later, etc. Just a couple of the VPs stating that we still need to come in as usual.

We know that preparations and guidelines have been developed, but they aren't sharing them. This hasn't gone unnoticed - the federal workers union has sued the White House because of the lack of information.
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/201...ues-white-house-possible-government-shutdown/

Per federal news radio, OPM has started releasing updated FAQs, but that really doesn't address agency by agency plans.

It's a mess.

Yeah, those updated FAQs are a joke. Our agency released a spreadsheet showing who was mission essential, and who isn't. What's funny is that none of the so-called "mission essential" people's SF50s reflect that, they are pretty much picking and choosing who they want to come to work. Ironically the formula seems to be: gs7 and below are not ME, GS 9 and above are.

 

[nathalee81]

Just wanted to send some to all those out there that are living in limbo right now.

I know it is a hardship on everyone who may be without pay, but I feel so bad for those in the military.

I was shocked when I read that soldiers are not going to be paid on time if the government shutdown goes down.

It seems like the least we can do for soldiers, who risk their lives on a daily basis for our country, is pay them for the service they perform...on time and in full. It seems unfair to place another burden on them-the worry they must have for their families who will now struggle to put food on the table and get the rent/mortgage paid.

But, as I said, I feel for everyone who is limbo. I'm keeping y'all in my thoughts and hoping that this government shutdown doesn't happen.

 

[canopynut66]

In the past they have retro paid those that were furloughed. I too work for the governement and went throught this in the 90s. We did not get paid during the furlough but when the budget was finalized and passed they did retro pay us in a lump sum.

Have a cousin that works in HR at the VA Hospital here and she NEVER works a full week as she always taking off. Will these people also get paid? Have heard active military will be paid

 

[beaucoup]

I think you would have to be a moron to NOT pay military people who carry weapons and know how to use them and deployed and fighting a war.

KWIM?

I believe if there is a shutdown, they will receive backpay. I also think this shouldn't happen at all. They have enough to worry about while deployed. Don't distract them from their jobs with this stuff happening back at home.

 

[disykat]

My husband has also been told he has to show up at work on Monday to be told if he has to go home. I guess it's a little thing in the midst of a big problem, but it bugs me that he may have to spend gas money driving to work to be sent home.

In spite of my own family's possible financial hit, I am also particularly worried about the stress this is putting on military families. I know so many people are living in limbo right now with the Japan situation and also deployments, the added stress must be really difficult.

 

[Aisling]

I don't know...it's hard to believe that the govt will really shut down. Someone will compromise somewhere at the last minute. I can believe our elected officials will allow this to happen. They won't.

 

[DisneyCaliCouple]

It is not just the military personal that will be required to keep working without pay, it is also the law enforcement protecting OUR borders here at home. They too will continue to work protecting our country without getting paid.

But yet, apparently the president and congress will still get a paycheck?? Really?

 

[Handbag Lady]

It is not just the military personal that will be required to keep working without pay, it is also the law enforcement protecting OUR borders here at home. They too will continue to work protecting our country without getting paid.

But yet, apparently the president and congress will still get a paycheck?? Really?

It makes me sick. If this really happens, I hope to join others in listing and reviewing exactly who in congress gets paid. They will not be getting our vote in the next round of elections if all military people are not paid continuously.

 

[Christine]

But yet, apparently the president and congress will still get a paycheck?? Really?

I read something about this. In the government, you cannot work for free. If they are working on a budget they have to be paid. I do think they should be fined, at some point, for not meeting a deadline.