Wage and Hour ConsiderationsDuring a shutdown, non-essential government employees are typically furloughed, and many contractors implement furlough programs for their own employees. Contractors must remain mindful of obligations under both federal and state wage and hour laws when placing employees on furlough. For example, a contractor that begins a furlough mid-week may consider not paying its employees for the days during that week the employees are on furlough. However, doing so for employees exempt from overtime under federal and state laws could place their exempt status in jeopardy. These potential furloughs may implicate the federal Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (“WARN”) Act and its state equivalents.