Fed workers secretly cheering for shutdown, hoping for extra vacation

Some federal workers are “secretly hoping” for a government shutdown in the coming weeks, figuring it will earn them extra time off.

With Christmas and New Year’s coming on Wednesdays, many employees who work desk jobs had already scheduled to take off the next two weeks using vacation time.

“With a shutdown they don’t have to use that annual leave and can save it for the future,” a senior official at one executive branch department said. “Basically, the employees are hoping for a shutdown for the next two weeks because it would amount to a two-week paid vacation without the employees having to use their own vacation time.”

It doesn’t work for essential employees, such as those who work law enforcement jobs on a set schedule. But those who work at a desk and already planned to use leave could make out.

Congress is racing against a Friday deadline for funding the government for fiscal 2025.

Without an extension, nonessential employees would be furloughed. They aren’t supposed to get paid for time not worked, but employees are counting on Congress — as it has in the past — to step in and make sure they get back pay once the government fully reopens.

Given the looming weekend, a shutdown wouldn’t really begin to bite into government services until Monday.

Federal employees start off with 13 days of annual leave. After three years, they can earn 20 days per year. And those with at least 15 years of service get 26 days annually.

Employees also get 13 sick days and 11 paid holidays each year.

Some department heads also grant extra vacation in the form of administrative leave.

Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas is particularly generous. He’s on track to give out 10 more vacation days this year.

Employees are hoping he’ll also shower them with extra days in the first weeks of 2025, before he leaves office at the end of the Biden administration.