Impact of the Recent Federal Government Shutdown on Employees

Thu Nov 13 2025 15:30:01 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

The recent shutdown of the federal government affected numerous employees, leading many to make significant sacrifices. As the situation unfolds, affected workers express frustration and a sense of betrayal over political maneuvers.

As the longest federal government shutdown comes to a close, employees like Jessica Sweet face the aftermath of six weeks without pay. Many federal workers, including those furloughed or working without pay, express resentment toward lawmakers for using their livelihoods as leverage in political standoffs. While a bipartisan agreement offers some relief, employees recount the personal toll taken by the shutdown, leaving a lasting impact on their trust in the government.

WASHINGTON (AP) — In light of the recent federal government shutdown, many employees, including Social Security claims specialist Jessica Sweet, found themselves making drastic cuts to their daily lives. The shutdown forced numerous federal workers to skip meals and reduce essential expenses just to make ends meet. With the shutdown now concluding, these workers, who faced unpaid wages and substantial stress, are left questioning whether their sacrifices were justified in the political arena.

Sweet, also a union steward for AFGE Local 3343 in New York, shared her frustrations, saying, “It shakes the foundation of trust that we all place in our agencies and in the federal government to do the right thing.” The shutdown was triggered on October 1 after Democrats rejected a stopgap funding bill unless it included extended health insurance subsidies under the Affordable Care Act. The agreement reached involved funding without the desired subsidies, leading some to feel betrayed.

At least 670,000 federal employees were furloughed during the shutdown, while about 730,000 worked without pay, creating a widespread crisis that affected various sectors, including essential services. The economic strain and lack of livelihood became political leverage in negotiations to push for health care benefits, with President Trump reiterating that unpaid workers would not get back pay.

With the agreement now in place, furloughed workers are set to receive back pay, but many, like Sweet, express discontent over the way the political battle played out. Workers describe the emotional and financial toll of the shutdown, feeling they were pawns in a larger political game. The turmoil extended beyond personal consequences; flight disruptions and cuts to food aid added to the pressures that ultimately led Congress to act.

Union leaders like Adam Pelletier voiced their concerns, noting that the political maneuvering left them feeling powerless. “It’s almost like being a pawn,” Pelletier remarked, reflecting on the situation faced by federal workers during the shutdown.

The collective sentiment among these workers is one of exhaustion, yet a resilience remains as many are ready to return to their duties. Elizabeth McPeak, an IRS employee, articulated the struggles faced during the shutdown when colleagues were forced to rely on food pantries and delay rent payments. Many federal employees hope for better handling of future negotiations to prevent such existential threats to their jobs and livelihoods.