And they're strictly forbidden to work, even from home. They are literally required to go home and do nothing. NONE of them (in my experience) are happy about this.
IF THERE IS A GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN, NO AFFECTED GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES SHOULD RECEIVE ANY BACKPAY OR BENIFITS AFTER BEING FURLOUGHED UNLESS THEY CONTINUE TO WORK THROUGHOUT THE SHUTDOWN. THIS IS THE WAY IT HAPPENS WITH 'REAL WORLD' JOBS. GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES SHOULD BE TREATED NO DIFFERENTLY. YOU WORK, YOU GET PAID. YOU CHOOSE NOT TO WORK, GO HOME SIT ON YOUR ASS OR FIND OTHER EMPLOYMENT. EACH TIME THERE HAS BEEN A 'SHUTDOWN' THESE PEOPLE GO HOME, DO NOTHING, THEN ARE COMPENSATED. I HAVE NEVER BEEN FURLOUGHED AND WAS GIVEN 'BACK PAY' WHEN I RETURNED TO WORK.