Labor & Employment Law Daily Wrap Up, AGENCY NEWS—EEOC, NLRB, and other agencies announce closure during appropriations lapse, (Oct 2, 2025)

By Brandi O. Brown, J.D.

However, the website for USCIS notes that it “will not cease critical functions” including the “screening and vetting of aliens.”

As the federal government shutdown sets in, federal agencies handling employment matters are starting to announce their closure, including the EEOC and the NLRB.

NLRB. The NLRB’s website notes that it is “currently closed due to a lapse in appropriated funds.” It also states: “Only such government activities necessary to prevent an imminent threat to the safety of human life or the protection of property may be undertaken in the absence of specific budget authority.” It provides a notice on the effect of this closure on its activities, including matters such as the tolling of time for filing documents, including briefs and appeals; postponement of unfair labor practice hearings before ALJs; postponement of representation elections and hearings; and timeliness of charges and petitions. It also links to a 2019 ethics guidance covering employees in non-pay status during a lapse in appropriations.

EEOC. Likewise, the EEOC’s website announces that it is currently closed because of a lapse in its appropriations. It states that while it is closed, a limited number of EEOC services are available, but that the information on the website will not be updated, transactions submitted via the website will not be processed, and EEOC staff will not be able to respond to requests or questions submitted.

DOL. The Department of Labor’s website reflects the following statement and information:

“Lapse in Appropriations

For workplace safety and health, please call 800-321-6742; for mine safety and health, please call 800-746-1153; for Job Corps, please call 800-733-5627 and for Wage and Hour, please call 1-866-487-9243 (1 866-4-US-WAGE). This website is currently not being updated due to the suspension of Federal government services. The last update to the site was 10/1/2025. Updates to the site will start again when the Federal government resumes operations.”

Other agencies. The MSPB has ceased all operations as well, stating that its e-Appeal system will not be available for the duration of the shutdown. It notes that filing and processing deadlines will be extended. The Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission is also closed and will not be considering any documents transmitted until after it resumes operations.

The Government Accountability Office has also shut down its operations and most of its personnel are not permitted to work, its website notes.

Nevertheless, USCIS’s website includes information it posted on social media stating that it “will not cease critical functions of USCIS—including the screening and vetting of aliens” but that the shutdown “is shuttering the E-Verify program.” The Department of Homeland Security states that its website will not be actively managed.

News: AgencyNews PublicEmployees