Trump Administration Updates on Back Pay, Layoffs as Federal Workers Return
Federal workers are back on the job and are starting to get their checks for back pay during the record-long government shutdown, which lasted 44 days and put at least 670,000 employees on furlough.
The Trump administration says most federal workers will get a good chunk of back pay by November 19, but that does vary by agency.
For many agencies, paychecks will include the pay that furloughed and excepted workers would have earned for the entire month of October. For those having to wait until November 19, the checks will also include pay for the November 2-November 15 biweekly pay period.
Excepted employees will be paid for time worked during the shutdown, including overtime. Furloughed employees will be paid for the time they would have spent at work, including overtime if the employee is “regularly scheduled” to work excess hours.
Meanwhile, union pressure forced the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to move up its paycheck schedule. The IRS at one point told employees they wouldn’t get any checks for back pay until the week of Thanksgiving. But after an outcry from the National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU) and others, the IRS now says most pay will be delivered by November 19.
"After ongoing conversations with the National Finance Center, the IRS now anticipates the majority of backpay will be paid on 11/19/2025," said an IRS message.
TSA Bonuses
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is giving Transportation Security Agency officers a $10,000 bonus for working during the shutdown.
“Their unsung patriotism deserves recognition. President Trump and I are so grateful for these patriots,” said DHS Secretary Kristi Noem.
OPM Guidance to Agencies
With the record shutdown over, the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) released several memos on personnel issues to help agencies get up to speed with some of the changes. That includes rescinding layoffs made during the shutdown and prohibiting additional layoffs until January 30, 2026.
In a memo, OPM ordered agencies to review and rescind RIFs issued between October 1 and November 12, and restore employees to their status as of September 30. The notice also must include information on retroactive pay.
OPM also issued a detailed memo on returning to work and the shutdown's impact on pay checks, leave policies, performance reviews, and Open Season, which runs until December 8 and gives federal employees the opportunity to select their benefits for 2026. OPM said it is not adjusting open season dates as of now but will monitor the situation. OPM did urge agencies to “prioritize communicating Open Season information with employees using available channels, including email and intranet.”
