As everyone knows by now, the federal government shut down at 12 a.m. after the House and the Obama Administration failed to reach agreement on the Affordable Care Act. Essential activities, such as law enforcement, air traffic control, and Social Security payments, will continue as usual. But non-essential activities, which would include most of what our employment-law agencies do (no disrespect intended!) will be on suspension.

Here are links to the shutdown contingency plans of the leading federal employment agencies, in alphabetical order.

Equal Employment Opportunity Commission

Labor, Department of

(this would encompass the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, and the Wage and Hour Division)

National Labor Relations Board

Meanwhile, the Department of Health and Human Services' "Health Insurance Marketplace" is up and running.