When Feds Get Screwed

Depending on how the debt ceiling issue is settled -- or not -- furloughs could be just around the corner for hundreds of thousands of federal workers. If so, how would they work and are you ready? Would it be a dreamy surprise mid-summer dream or a pre-back-to-school nightmare? Consider:

Dream scenario for a civil servant: The boss gives you Friday off. Stay home, sleep late. Have a good weekend! Oh, and take Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday off too. Go to the beach, catch up on reading, movies or sleep. Bond with the kids. In fact, just chill out. Don't call us, we'll call you.
 
Nightmare scenario for same fed: Turns out you have been furloughed through no fault of your own. Nobody knows exactly how long you will be off. Oh, and most other people where you work are still on the job because they are considered essential. You, on the other hand, are apparently not. Also, no work, no pay, so don't incur any debts or pay any bills.
 
Sound stupid? Far-fetched? Yes, but it is also part of the drill when you work for the federal government. In the private sector many people work for companies where the board of directors is predominately remote, older men who are unelected millionaires. They can do pretty much what they want, including nothing! For feds it is different because the board of directors is composed of predominately remote, older men who are millionaires and who are elected.
 
Last week approximately 4,000 FAA employees were told that because of an unrelated funding dispute in Congress, their services were no longer needed for the time being.

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