OMB: Backpay Can Be Withheld From Workers Furloughed In Shutdown

Mark Paoletta, general counsel of the Office of Management and Budget, is arguing furloughed workers at HHS and other agencies are not legally guaranteed backpay once the ongoing government shutdown ends, intensifying the White House’s conflict with Democrats and unions over federal employees’ rights ahead of a Wednesday (Oct. 15) court hearing over whether the White House can legally direct reductions in force during a shutdown.