The federal government initiated a shutdown at midnight Oct. 1, closing hundreds of offices, putting hundreds of thousands of workers on furlough, and forcing others to work without pay.
While essential workers will continue to work, those deemed nonessential are being placed on furlough, a temporary leave of unpaid absence. In the past, such workers have kept their jobs and returned after shutdowns ended.
However, things may be different this time, since President Donald Trump has threatened permanent layoffs in the wake of the shutdown. Furloughs are temporary, but layoffs are permanent. Laid-off workers may not be able to return.
Here's how furloughs are hitting federal departments and agencies in the current shutdown:
The Environmental Protection Agency, Education Department, and Commerce Department have the highest percentages of workforce furloughs, according to their contingency plans for operating under a shutdown. The Veterans Affairs department will have about 3% of its staff furloughed.
