Congress failed to pass annual appropriations or a stopgap measure, resulting in a federal government shutdown effective October 1, 2025. Most workplace enforcement agencies — including the Labor Department’s OFCCP, Wage and Hour Division, and DOL-VETS, along with the EEOC and NLRB — have suspended nearly all operations. Only limited essential functions continue, and agency staff are largely unavailable to respond to inquiries. Some agencies, such as USCIS and ICE, remain mostly operational because they have alternative funding sources or law enforcement functions.
Employers should expect delays or suspensions in investigations, outreach, and compliance activities. Complaint intake and some emergency litigation may continue at EEOC and NLRB, but most routine functions are paused. Online portals may remain open for submissions, but technical support and responses are unlikely. E-Verify may be suspended, affecting employment eligibility checks. Meanwhile, employers should prepare to meet any existing compliance deadlines or agency requests unless an agency announces an extension.
The Center for Workplace Compliance (CWC), our affiliated nonprofit membership association, published a resource that members may access for more details.
CWC members can read more here.