The ongoing 2018-2019 government shutdown which directly impacts 800,000 federal workers is on its way towards being the longest in history with President Trump saying it could continue for months or years.

The longer the shutdown lasts the wider the impacts to government systems, programs, citizens and businesses.

Here are some expected and unexpected fallouts of the current government shutdown.

Muddying an Already Complicated Tax Season

Government shutdowns are a costly business. The 2013 shutdown cost $24 billion in lost economic output while the 1996 shutdown resulted in $2.1 billion in government costs. We are yet to learn the impact, if any, of the three-day 2018 shutdown.

But, what we do know is that shutdowns are not universal. For many critical government employees, the lights never go out. Here’s just a shortlist:

Veterans Affairs (VA) remained operational.

Shutdown, sequestration, budget cuts. With challenges like these, how can government agencies even attempt to build and sustain an engaging workplace where employees are satisfied, productive, committed and, let’s face it, less likely to leave.

Earlier this week we shared an interactive graphic depicting the far-reaching impact of the government shutdown across the country.  As we head into the end of the second week of the 2013 shutdown, here’s a look at how the protracted furloughs and closures are beginning to impact the government design/build industry both at the federal and state and local level.

Here’s what you need to know: