🔄 Preparing for Reentry: What to Expect When Work Resumes
- feaofct
- Nov 3
- 2 min read
After weeks of uncertainty, the end of a government shutdown can feel like a sudden jolt — a return to inboxes, meetings, and backlogged tasks. For Connecticut’s federal workforce, reentry is more than just clocking back in. It’s a chance to reset, reconnect, and rebuild momentum. FEACT is here to help you navigate that transition with clarity and confidence.
📅 What Happens First
Once a funding bill is signed:
Furloughed employees will receive official notice to return to work.
Back pay is typically authorized, though timing may vary by agency.
Operations resume, often with a backlog of requests, reports, and deadlines.
Tip: Check your agency’s HR portal or internal communications for specific instructions.
✅ Reentry Checklist
Here’s how to ease back into your role:
1. Review Communications
Catch up on emails, memos, and meeting invites.
Look for updated priorities or policy changes.
2. Prioritize Tasks
Identify urgent vs. important items.
Use a simple triage system: “Must do today,” “This week,” “Next week.”
3. Reconnect with Your Team
Schedule a quick check-in with your supervisor or colleagues.
Share how you’re doing — and ask how others are managing the transition.
4. Update Systems and Tools
Log into platforms that may have timed out.
Reboot devices, update software, and check for security patches.
5. Reflect and Reset
What did you learn during the furlough?
What habits or insights do you want to carry forward?
🧠 Be Kind to Yourself
Reentry can be emotionally complex. You may feel:
Relief and excitement
Frustration or resentment
Anxiety about catching up
All of these are normal. Give yourself — and your colleagues — grace as you adjust.
🤝 FEACT Is With You
Upon re-entry, we’d like to host a Post-Shutdown Reentry Roundtable to share tips, stories, and support. Stay tuned for dates and registration info.
💬 Share Your Reentry Story
How are you preparing to return? What’s helping you stay grounded? FEACT welcomes your insights — and may feature them in future posts or events.
Welcome back. Your work matters. And so do you.
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