Originally Posted by: PSEtoPTF 
Omg this whole thing is giving me so much anxiety it is not even funny. I wish they will just say: yes, we are going on furlough, here is the info. But, they don’t know, and I understand. However, all these town halls, emails, meetings with no particular info just some, “we might be going on furlough, but we don’t know”. Just don’t. Until you know something. People asking questions that they can’t answer now, and it’s just unknown thing is driving me crazy. I think once you said that this is possible, it’s enough. Next time is when you know for sure what’s happening because we all have questions with no answers for now.
At least we have the regulations that mandate the agency notify impacted employees in advance, June 20th if you believe the rumors (not too far away!). So we'll get our answers soon. But, yes, the unknown is a killer. Everything is dependent on external funding, and the decisions are being made over the head of the offices or even the directorates. So, on one hand if Congress appropriates the money and the agency staves off financial disaster, perhaps we avoid furloughs altogether. On the other hand, if other things distract Congress or they refuse to offer any funding like they've done with USPS or if the House demands the Administration curtail its more controversial policies (e.g. MPP) in exchange for the funding, we're definitely going to be furloughed. I'm betting on the latter more than the former but we'll see.
For our worst-case scenario, here's an excerpt about the procedure for a furlough that turns into a RIF separation. (Guidance is from 2017, but I doubt it's changed since).
"10. If circumstances change and the agency is unable to recall administratively furloughed
employees at the point specified in their extended furlough notice, what additional
action is required?
A. In this situation, the agency must issue those employees new notices of either an extended
furlough or proposed RIF separation, as the situation requires. This new action must meet all
the requirements in the 5 CFR part 351 regulations (for example, 60 days advance notice)."