ohio Prepares for Potential State Employee Furloughs amid Federal Shutdown
Columbus, Ohio – October 27, 2023
The State of Ohio has issued notices to roughly 9,000 state employees across six key agencies, alerting them to the possibility of furloughs due to the ongoing federal government shutdown. The Department of Administrative Services (DAS) confirmed the preemptive measure, emphasizing its a planning for a potentially prolonged impasse in Washington D.C.
Currently, state agencies are meticulously assessing the number of positions reliant on federal funding, either wholly or partially.While the initial notice reached 9,000 employees, DAS anticipates the actual number of furloughed workers will be less than half of that figure.
affected Agencies
The following Ohio state agencies are directly impacted by the potential funding disruptions:
- Ohio Adjutant General’s department
- Ohio Environmental Protection Agency
- Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities
- Ohio Department of Health
- Ohio department of Job and Family Services
- Ohio Department of Public Safety
This action is driven by stipulations within collective bargaining agreements between the state and its employees.These contracts mandate a 14-day notice period before any funding interruptions can take effect. Friday marked the commencement of this two-week notification window.
According to DAS, the furlough notices will become unneeded should the U.S. Senate swiftly approve a clean continuing resolution to end the shutdown before the 14-day period expires.
“While we hope for a resolution from Washington soon, we must prepare for the potential impact on our workforce in the coming weeks should the shutdown continue,” stated Kathleen C. madden, Director of the ohio Department of Administrative Services. “We will continue to evaluate the situation daily and will have more specific data should further action become necessary.”
DAS assures that any employees ultimately selected for furlough will receive individual notification in advance, adhering strictly to the terms outlined in their respective union contracts.
The situation remains fluid, and World-Today-News.com will continue to provide updates as they become available. The uncertainty underscores the far-reaching consequences of the federal shutdown, extending beyond national institutions to impact state-level services and the livelihoods of thousands of Ohioans.
I hope you found this article informative.The ripple effects of the federal shutdown are meaningful, and we’re committed to keeping you updated on how it’s impacting Ohio. If you have thoughts on this story, please share them in the comments below! And if you appreciate our in-depth coverage, consider subscribing to our newsletter – it’s the best way to stay informed.
