So far, many agency leaders are telling staff not to take shutdown layoff threat seriously

"The White House's Office of Management and Budget upended normal shutdown planning this week when it issued a memorandum that instructed agencies to implement mass layoffs of their workforces if Congress fails to act before the deadline. Specifically, OMB said, agencies should prepare reduction-in-force notices for all employees whose work is funded directly through annual appropriations and does not align with President Trump's priorities."

"Many federal employees told Government Executive they have yet to hear any guidance on implementing that memo or to prepare for a shutdown, which they called unusual at this stage in the process. OMB itself has already begun holding preparatory calls with agency leaders in advance of a potential shutdown. Those who have heard from their leadership teams, however, largely echoed the message delivered at GSA."

The Office of Management and Budget issued a memorandum directing agencies to prepare reduction-in-force notices for employees whose work is funded by annual appropriations and does not align with presidential priorities. Many agencies, however, are telling staff they will implement traditional shutdown furloughs — sending employees home without pay until a lapse ends — rather than immediately issuing RIF notices. Federal spending authorities are set to expire early Wednesday, and the House has passed a stopgap measure through Nov. 21 while Senate action remains blocked. Some employees report little or no guidance from leadership, even as OMB holds preparatory calls with agency heads.

Read at Nextgov.com