Are they being forced to work? that is slavery. I doubt they are being forced to work.
Failure to pay employees for their legitimate work is wrong and illegal. It doesn’t matter who is president at the time.
If you can’t pay, you lay off (not fire! “lay off means temporary!) The employee then can collect unemployment.
:: If you can’t pay, you lay off ::
And, when the inmates riot, kill a few snitches and run rampant on the local populace (knowing that when the guards return, they will be quickly and peacefully rounded up and placed back into prison), we can just sit back and say “See! I told you walls don’t work.”
I read somewhere, where the gov’t is providing info on how to file for unemployment.
I think working is optional.
Once your fed-boss puts your name on an ‘essentials’ list...you have to show up and work.
I got into this mess back in 2011 while a GS employee in DC. We were preparing for one of Obama’s shutdown exercises. I figured fine, I’d take my cellphone and go off to Atlantic City for a week, and just chill out. Then my boss stepped into the mess, and put my name on a essentials list, and I had to show up at the office during the brief showdown.
I knew guys who were going to repaint their house or renovate during the period...same deal, they were put on an essentials list to show up.
Just try that in the Federal government. It doesn't work that way. You can't lay 'em off, and firing 'em is nearly impossible - plus any that do get fired can sue to get their job back.
Wonderful racket, isn't it?
They are not being “forced to work”. They can quit any time they want.
Or, they can continue working in anticipation of being paid when the budget passes.
Their choice.