What is furlough?

A furlough is the placement of an employee in a temporary non-duty, non-pay status because of lack of work or funds, or other non-disciplinary reasons. Furloughed employees will be placed in the Leave Without Pay (LWOP) status.

May an employee volunteer to do his or her job on a non-pay basis during a shutdown furlough?

No. An agency may not accept the voluntary services of an employee unless provided by law.

May employees take other jobs while on furlough?

While on furlough, an individual remains an employee of the State of North Carolina. Dual employment and secondary employment policies continue to apply. Before engaging in outside employment, the employee should talk with his or her supervisor to ensure compliance with policy and obtain agency approval.

Will employees continue to receive longevity pay while on furlough?

If the furlough is a brief LWOP period of less than half the regularly scheduled workdays and holidays in the month, then eligibility for longevity will be maintained.

May a furloughed employee take previously approved paid time off (annual, sick, civil leave, military leave, etc.) during the furlough period?

DOT says employees can still take pre-approved time off. They just have to work out scheduling with their supervisor, or for example, if an employee has a week of vacation approved, they can take 4 days of leave and one day of unpaid furlough during that week off. Bottom line, all pre-approved time off has not been shut down during this furlough period.

Does LWOP under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) that is scheduled to be taken during a shutdown furlough period count toward the employee’s 12-week FMLA leave entitlement?

No.

Does the shutdown furlough affect the accrual of vacation leave and sick leave?

If the employee is furloughed less than one-half of the regularly scheduled workdays and holidays in the pay period, the employee’s leave accrual will not be affected for that period.

Will employees get paid for a holiday that occurs during a shutdown furlough?

Employees would get paid for holidays. However, no holiday falls into the time frame of the furlough period.

Can employees on paid military leave continue to receive military leave benefits during a furlough shutdown?

Just like any other scheduled time off, the furlough days can be planned around pre-approved time off.

Will employees continue to receive a reservist differential payment while on active duty when they are furloughed from their state civilian employment?

No.

Will l an employee continue to be covered under the State Health Plan during the furlough?

Yes.

Does an agency continue to pay an employee for Workers’ Compensation during the furlough?

Yes. State law requires the payment of Workers’ Compensation benefits. Funding for Workers’ Compensation comes from a different funding source than the position funding.

Does an agency continue to pay an employee for Short-Term Disability (STD) during the furlough?

Yes. Retirement System law requires the payment of STD benefits if eligible, even if the employee has separated from employment after the disability begins. Funding for STD comes from a different funding source than the position funding. The furlough does apply to employees who choose to exhaust leave in lieu of STD benefits or during the waiting period to begin STD.

Does the State Employees Credit Union (SECU) provide any services to assist with financial hardships resulting from the furlough?

Employees should contact their local SECU branch for assistance.

Are employees who have been furloughed eligible for Employee Assistance Program (EAP) services?

Employees who are subject to the State Human Resources Act who have been furloughed are eligible for EAP services for up to 90 days. Furloughed employees may access the NC EAP 24 hours a day, seven days a week, by calling 1-888-298-3907 or 704-717-5295, or visit https://www.mygroup.com/. There is no cost to the employee or the employee’s immediate household family members.

Is the period of furlough (LWOP) considered a break in service?

No. The current furlough plan proposed by DOT will not be considered a break in service.

How does a shutdown furlough impact a separating employee’s lump-sum payout of their unused leave (i.e., vacation/bonus, comp time, etc.) and longevity?

During a shutdown furlough, any payments incurred by the agency for an employee’s lump-sum separation payment will be delayed until funds are available.

When a shutdown concludes, how will furloughed employees be notified to return?

Agencies are responsible for establishing procedures for communicating with employees during the shutdown furlough.