Potential government shutdown would impact civilian employees Published Dec. 15, 2011 By Air Force District of Washington Public Affairs AIR FORCE DISTRICT OF WASHINGTON -- Deputy Secretary of Defense Ashton B. Carter sent a memo today to all DoD employees providing guidance for a potential government shutdown in the days ahead if an appropriations bill is not passed. According to the memo Congress continues to consider an omnibus appropriations bill but there is no guarantee elected officials will finish all of their work before the current appropriation expires Friday at midnight. "If funding lapses, the affected Federal departments and agencies would not be permitted to incur further financial obligations for activities funded by annual appropriations, except those related to the orderly suspension of operations or performance of excepted activities," the memo states. "This means that some DoD civilian employees would be furloughed and unable to work." Should a furlough become necessary, civilian employees would be notified through their supervisors no later than December 16 and be given formal notice no later than December 19. The U.S. Office of Personnel Management has information on its website for employees in the event of shutdown furloughs, including information about leave, pay and health benefits. Military personnel are not subject to furlough and would report for duty as normal during a shutdown.