Feds’ Make-Up Pay May Not Include All They’re Owed, Initially

The government is scrambling to get back pay to federal employees affected by the just-ended government shutdown, but some may have to wait to get everything they’re owed.

“In order to issue retroactive payments as quickly as possible, payroll providers may make some simplifying assumptions,” Margaret Weichert, acting director of the Office of Personnel Management, wrote in a Jan. 27 memorandum to agencies’ HR officials.

As a result, the initial retroactive pay may not include pay for all overtime performed by employees who were required to work during the shutdown, for example, Weichert said. “Payroll providers will work with agencies ...