In shutdown, all DOD civilian employees still to report Monday

The Defense Department has told all civilian defense workers to report for work on their next regular workday even if the potential government shutdown becomes a reality.

DOD officials were busy April 8 notifying civilian workers who are “excepted” from a furlough if it occurs.

However, even if employees are placed in a non-excepted category, they will be asked to report to their duty stations April 11 on their own time for further instructions, Deputy Defense Secretary William Lynn said April 7.

 “If there is a government shutdown beginning on Saturday, April 9, all DOD personnel should still report to work on their next scheduled duty day, beginning at their normal duty hours,” Lynn said.

A government shutdown could furlough as many as 800,000 feds, including some DOD civilian workers. Civilian employees deemed nonessential will be furloughed in a non-pay status and may not telework or volunteer to work under the law, Lynn said.

Military personnel and essential civilian support personnel will not be furloughed, Lynn said. Other excepted activities will include inpatient and essential outpatient care at DOD medical treatment facilities; emergency dental care; non-appropriated funds activities such as mess halls and child care activities; and financial management activities necessary to ensure the control and accountability of funds, Lynn said.

“The department remains hopeful that a government shutdown will be averted,” he said.