Federal Agencies Gear Up for Temporary Employee FurloughsRecent reports indicate that plans for staffing adjustments are in motion. (Al Drago/Bloomberg)September 29, 2025 4:31 PM, EDTHighlights: As of September 29, federal agencies outlined shutdown strategies affecting over 400,000 employees without significant permanent layoffs. The prospect of a government shutdown has prompted federal agencies to formulate plans that primarily involve temporary furloughs rather than sweeping job cuts. This comes despite pressure from the White House for departments to evaluate potential workforce reductions as part of their contingency measures. By the afternoon of September 29, eight cabinet departments had submitted their shutdown protocols, which collectively would send home more than two-thirds of the federal workforce classified as nonessential.