SHRM Shares Perspective on the Government Shutdown and Its Impact on Employers
The ongoing partial federal government shutdown, now in its third week, continues to affect workers and workplaces nationwide. To help inform policymakers, SHRM shared survey results highlighting the shutdown’s direct and indirect impact on employers, employees, and business operations. The findings reveal that even a brief shutdown can disrupt organizational stability, strain financial resources, and harm employee well-being—while more than a third of federal workers, or approximately 860,000 individuals, face furloughs until Congress passes a budget.
SHRM Members Take Action: Since the shutdown began, SHRM members have sent more than 700 letters to Congress, sharing firsthand accounts of how the effects extend far beyond Washington, D.C. SHRM continues to urge lawmakers to reach a bipartisan solution that restores government operations and minimizes harm to the workforce. SHRM encourages all members to stay engaged and advocate for an end to the shutdown.
Looking Ahead: The Senate continues to vote on a continuing resolution (CR), which has not reached the 60-vote threshold. There are signs that back-channel negotiations are taking place in the House and Senate as this shutdown nears and surpasses certain milestones.
- Oct. 10: Federal workers received their last paycheck for September, and Capitol Police personnel missed their first paycheck.
- Oct. 14: Air traffic controllers missed their first paycheck. (This brought the last shutdown to an end because controllers started taking PTO en masse, causing flight delays nationwide.)
- Oct. 15: Most members of the military may miss their first paychecks. (The Administration directed the Pentagon to direct resources to ensure servicemembers are paid. Congressional action is still needed for a long-term solution.)
- Oct. 24: Other federal employees will miss their first full paycheck.
Be sure to check your inbox each Monday for SHRM’s shutdown update—your go-to resource to start the week with the latest information, insights from Washington, and actionable tips to support your workforce.
We’ll continue to provide up-to-the-minute research, advocacy updates, and tools on our Navigating the 2025 Government Shutdown page.
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