On October 1, 2025, the Federal Government entered a shutdown after Congress failed to pass legislation funding the operations of the Federal Government beyond September 30, 2025. For Federal employees in proceedings at the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the Merit Systems Protection Board, or the Office of the Special Counsel, and for those intending to initiate proceedings with those agencies, the shutdown has an impact on most of your deadlines. Below are links for how Federal Sector forums are handling deadlines for the shutdown:
· MSPB – All deadlines are extended by the length of the shutdown. For more information, visit www.mspb.gov/publicaffairs/press_releases/Shutdown_Press_Release_Oct12025.pdf.
· EEOC – Only deadlines for scheduled hearings, discovery, and motions are cancelled. Other deadlines, such as deadlines for requesting a hearing or appeals, are unaffected. For more information, visit https://www.eeoc.gov/us-equal-employment-opportunity-commission-eeoc-currently-closed-due-lapse-appropriations.
· OSC – OSC is closed but Federal employees may still file new complaints. For more information, visit https://osc.gov/.
· For EEO cases pending at your agency’s EEO Office, you should review your agency’s status during the shutdown. If the EEO Office is open, you should continue to meet all applicable deadlines including those to initiate EEO counseling and file formal EEO complaints. If the status of your agency’s EEO office is unclear, act prudently and try to meet pending deadlines and retain proof of your efforts.