Understanding the Consequences of Federal Worker Absences During Shutdowns

Sat Oct 11 2025 04:18:03 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

A deep dive into the effects of non-attendance by essential federal workers, exploring the implications under the Antideficiency Act, and drawing lessons from historical shutdowns.

With the possibility of a government shutdown looming, it's crucial to understand what happens if essential federal workers do not report to work. The Antideficiency Act mandates certain duties to continue irrespective of funding, meaning that essential workers have an obligation to show up. Failure to do so can lead to significant disciplinary measures and major disruptions, as evidenced by the 2018-2019 government shutdown that caused extensive delays across the aviation sector.

In light of potential government shutdowns, a reader from the Associated Press, Eli B., posed an important question: What happens if essential federal workers don’t show up for work?

The answer lies in the Antideficiency Act, a federal law that dictates which government operations must continue even when Congress hasn't appropriated the necessary funding. This law is the reason why federal agencies classify their workforce into 'essential' and 'nonessential' categories. Employees assigned to essential roles must report to work despite funding issues, as they are bound by law to carry out critical government functions.

Failure to attend work can result in disciplinary action, including suspension or termination, not just for individual workers but can also lead to broader operational disruptions. For instance, during the historic 35-day shutdown from late 2018 into early 2019, the absence of unpaid air traffic controllers and security screeners led to numerous flight delays. The resulting chaos caused long airport lines and substantial financial losses for airlines, amounting to tens of millions in lost revenue.

As we navigate through potential shutdown scenarios, understanding the implications of federal worker attendance is pressing. If you have any questions about government shutdowns, feel free to reach out and submit your inquiries.