Fort Riley closes 15+ departments, furloughs employees after federal government shutdown
Fort Riley has closed more than 15 offices as a result of the government shutdown and the furlough of some civilian employees. (U.S. Defense Department)
TOPEKA — Fort Riley announced Wednesday that many civilian employees are furloughed as a result of the federal government shutdown that went into effect at midnight Tuesday.
In a social media post, Fort Riley said email messages and phone calls to affected civilian staff will not be answered and many social media channeled will not be monitored.
More than 15 departments were closed, according to the post, including Public Affairs, Soldier and Family Assistance Center, some child care services, the Recycling Center and the Military Personnel Division administration.
Other departments are scheduling work by appointment only.
“Those who still report to work are classified as exempt and are generally in the life/health/safety fields,” Fort Riley’s social media posted in response to a question about who is affected. “Those who are not exempt do not report to work until funding is restored.”
A separate social media post referred people to the U.S. Defense Department’s website, which reads: “Military personnel will continue in a normal duty status, without pay, until such time as a continuing resolution or appropriations are passed by Congress and signed into law. Civilian personnel not engaged in excepted activities will be placed in a non-work, non-pay status.”
Fort Riley also postponed its Retiree Appreciation Day scheduled for Saturday.
In federal information posted online about the government shutdown, federal civilian paychecks for Sept. 7–Sept. 20 would not be delayed. Those checks generally arrive between Sept. 26 and Oct. 2, the information said.