Prof. Nick Bednar ’16 Quoted in Wired About How a Government Shutdown Could Fit Into Musk’s Plans to Reduce Workforce

Professor Nick Bednar ’16 was quoted in Wired about the looming government shutdown and reports saying that Elon Musk is wanting a temporary government shutdown in part because it would potentially make it easier to eliminate the jobs of hundreds of thousands of federal workers. Prof. Bednar said the length of a possible government shutdown could affect whether certain employees could return after reopening of the government. He said once federal employees have been furloughed for more than 30 calendar days, that furlough becomes subject to a reduction in force (RIF). Though it could be challenged, this means that after 30 days, furloughed employees are automatically kicked into RIF procedures, which prioritizes retaining employees by seniority and whether that individual is a veteran. He said, “If you can shut down the government for 30 days, it’s a method of pursuing an RIF.”