With any luck, as you’re reading this the government is fully back up and running and the hashtag #governmentshutdown has long left your social media feeds. If not, then I hope instead of passing up another article about the shutdown, you’ll choose to read this one as it’s written from the perspective of a working mom of two who just happens to be a federal employee. Oh and did I mention my husband is one, too?! Yep.
Either way, my hope is that this will be an educational piece, as I have no intention of getting political. No matter what side of the wall you’re on (pun intended), we’re all American citizens, and we’re in this together. The truth is, even if you don’t feel the impacts of the shutdown firsthand, in one way or another it affects each and every one of us. Even the local craft beer industry is feeling the pain. I mean, c’mon.
I’ve gotten several questions from friends and family of exactly how this shutdown is affecting us. So if I’ve had to explain it to them, then I figure there must be other people out there who don’t quite get what words like “furlough” and “essential” mean. I won’t pretend to sit here and have all the answers, or even begin to touch on all the ways the shutdown is affecting thousands of federal workers across America, but I’ll do my best to give a little insight to how it’s playing out in our house.
Of course the most glaring and publicized impact of the shutdown is workers not getting paid. While I have been declared essential, my husband has been furloughed. As an essential employee, I work in a position that is deemed necessary to protect life and property. This means that I continue to work, but do not know when I will get paid for the work that I have done. I’m also not allowed to use any leave (ie. sick, vacation). Which means, if I or my kids get sick, I still have to show up to work. Womp, Womp.
My husband on the other hand, is legally not allowed to work, nor take paid leave in its place. Furloughed employees are not guaranteed pay for any of the time that they would have spent working unless Congress passes a bill that approves back pay. Of course that’s after the government reopens. Sounds like a free vacation right? Well not really. The uncertainty associated with not getting paid, and not knowing whether you’ll have to report back to work tomorrow, next week, or a month from now, doesn’t exactly scream mai tais on the beach.
So for now, we’re just taking it one day at a time, while discussing the “what ifs” if the shutdown continues to stretch on. Some days have been worse than others, but we’re attempting to keep a positive mindset. Focus on the good over the bad. For instance, my house has never looked cleaner thanks to my furloughed husband!
I realize there are people out there facing similar hardships all the time, but with less certainty of a job they can return to and a paycheck down the road. I’m not asking for sympathy, just understanding. Know that there are about 19,000 federal workers right here in KC currently going through this. If one of them is your neighbor, family member, best friend, or even just the TSA agent on your next flight, let them know you appreciate what they’re doing for our country. That by continuing to work for the American people during this time, they are supported by the American people.
Give them a high five, a hug, a beer, or just a simple smile and a thank you to show your support.
Personally, I’ll take the beer.
Out daighter is a Federal employee working through a contract company in DC. The contract employees will not receive back pay. As a mom, you are messing with my kid and that’s measing with me
It’s time for our leaders to stop acting like spoiled toddlers and come to a compromise. I assure you I won’t forget this shutdown when I vote next time. And the time after that.