Employment

An employee who cooperates in a workplace sexual harassment investigation may assert a legal claim alleging retaliation if the employee believes they suffered adverse employment actions because of that cooperation.

A 'furlough' in the context of a U.S. federal government shutdown refers to federal employees being told not to work during the shutdown and not receiving pay while the shutdown is in effect.

During U.S. federal government shutdowns, some federal employees continue to work but do not receive pay while the shutdown is in effect.

In prior U.S. federal government shutdowns, federal employees who were furloughed subsequently received back pay after the shutdown ended.

In 2025, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement offered recruitment incentives for new deportation officer hires, including bonuses of up to $50,000 and tuition reimbursement.

Under a furlough, employees are temporarily prohibited from reporting to work but typically retain their jobs and receive pay retroactively after the work stoppage ends.

A layoff is a permanent job cut resulting in termination of employment rather than a temporary absence.

During U.S. federal government shutdowns, congressional staff generally do not receive paychecks for pay periods that fall during the shutdown but receive backpay after funding is restored; members of Congress can elect administrative withholding of their salary during a shutdown but must receive the withheld amounts as backpay once the government is funded again.