Feasibility of RIFs Around a Government Shutdown Called Into Question

Feasibility of RIFs Around a Government Shutdown Called Into Question

Washington, D.C. September 25, 2025 With a possible government shutdown looming at the end of the week, questions are surfacing about the feasibility of carrying out reduction-in-force (RIF) plans across federal agencies. Despite a White House directive urging departments to prepare for further cuts, senior officials and workforce experts say the timeline and complexity of RIF implementation make such plans nearly impossible to finalize just days before a shutdown.

The White House Push

In recent weeks, the administration has pressed agencies to accelerate workforce reduction strategies in line with broader budget-cutting goals. The directive included instructions to prepare detailed RIF plans identifying “surplus” positions, retention criteria, and separation processes in the event of extended budget constraints.

The White House argues that proactive planning is necessary to align federal staffing levels with fiscal realities and avoid long-term inefficiencies. One senior administration official described the approach as “forward-looking fiscal responsibility” in anticipation of both short-term shutdown risk and longer-term cost pressures.

The RIF Process: Complex and Time-Consuming

But experts note that federal RIFs are governed by intricate Office of Personnel Management (OPM) regulations that require weeks, if not months, to execute. Agencies must weigh multiple factors, including:

• Tenure and length of service of employees.

• Performance ratings over a fixed period.

• Veterans’ preference requirements.

• Placement rights into other federal positions.

“RIFs are among the most complex personnel actions in government,” said Jeffrey Neal, a former federal human capital officer. “You cannot design and implement them in a matter of days, especially under the cloud of a looming shutdown.”

Shutdown vs. RIF: Competing Priorities

Complicating matters further, federal agencies are already scrambling to prepare for contingency plans tied to a shutdown, such as determining which employees are “essential” and ensuring mission-critical operations continue.

The combination of both directives has left some leaders frustrated. “We’re being asked to plan for two entirely different workforce scenarios at the same time, one temporary, one permanent,” said a mid-level manager at a large civilian agency. “That’s not a recipe for clear decision-making.”

Union leaders also raised alarms, arguing that the White House’s push risks creating confusion and fear among federal employees already anxious about the shutdown.

OPM and Congressional Oversight

Officials at OPM have reportedly cautioned that agencies will need far more time to comply with statutory and regulatory requirements before executing any meaningful RIFs. Lawmakers, meanwhile, are split. Fiscal hawks argue the administration should continue pursuing long-term cuts regardless of short-term obstacles, while Democrats warn the directive could undermine morale and productivity in the federal workforce.

“RIF planning isn’t just a matter of pulling a lever,” said Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-Va.), a longtime defender of federal employees. “It involves people’s lives, rights, and due process. You cannot shortcut that because of political deadlines.”

The debate highlights the competing pressures facing federal agencies as they brace for yet another funding standoff. Even if Congress reaches a stopgap deal, the White House is signaling that workforce reductions remain a priority heading into fiscal 2026.

For now, many officials say the immediate priority is simply keeping the government open. As one career executive put it: “You can’t run a RIF during a shutdown. First, you have to have a government to run.”