Originally Posted by catocony (Post 37419475)

They'll get paid once the shutdown is over. \

In general though, tipping them would be really, really, really, really stupid.

Originally Posted by Section 107 (Post 37424798)

Tipping is also generally prohibited by policy and regulation, as well as actual law for US Federal employees performing official job functions.

Originally Posted by Boggie Dog (Post 37424882)

I don't disagree but in years past, possibly currently, it was customary to give a small monetary gift to your letter carrier around Christmas. I suspect this practice is not as common these days. Yes, Postal workers are federal employees.

Originally Posted by nd2010 (Post 37418649)

As much as we don’t like TSA, they’re not getting paid right now. I wish they could accept tips

Originally Posted by Boggie Dog (Post 37419583)

Getting paid a month late won't help with late payment fees and such.

Originally Posted by txrus (Post 37424106)

Anyone who works for the fed'l gov't (or state or municipal) & knows their pay is tied to budget authorizations, but doesn't take steps to ensure they have a sufficient rainy day fund in case the budget runs out, should probably look for other employment. This is not the first time something like this has happened & it won't be the last, so anyone who doesn't take steps now to plan for the future has no one to blame but themselves.

To answer the original question of tipping a TSA screener, absolutely not for far too many reasons to have to list out in a forum like this.

Originally Posted by gsoltso (Post 37429918)

While I appreciate the sentiments and several local groups have helped our employees, tipping to a TSA Officer has to remain a city in China. They are really serious about it, and some of our... less scrupulous employees have been removed from the job pool over just this.



True, and while some bills will work with our folks, some of them wont. Of course,



While this is a good point of life for most of us that have been with the organization for a few years or more, many of the kids and newer employees have not had an opportunity to build up said fall backs. I and many like me are prepared enough to weather these types of life interruptions. For everyone like me, we have folks that came on just before the shutdown, and have been here the whole time - they have a really good familial support network. We also have some that have been on for a little under a year that had to walk and work Uber or some other hustle to make enough money to pay their bills and eat. It is unrealistic to expect newer employees to be as prepared and We had food banks and local support groups that have helped out, but that is primarily food.

Many places are offering interest free loans and some banks will work with people, but no employee willing to work for the federal government should be placed in a position where they have to work without their legally obligated renumeration. Especially when the people responsible for the appropriations continue to be paid without interruption.

Originally Posted by Boggie Dog (Post 37430059)

I was a credit union employee during a previous government shutdown. We did everything legally possible to reduce the impact on our federal employlees. I think the efforts were well received and used by a pretty substantial number of our members.

The idea of a rainy day fund is sound but for lower income people hard to implement. I say pay yourself first but as soon as your old car breaks down that wisdom goes right out the window.

My counsel to credit union members I talked with was simple. Save 10% of income. If 10% isn't possible save something. Don't pay interest. Paying interest only makes other people rich. Now almost all of us will pay interest on homes and cars but finance for the shortest period possible and make extra payments when possible. If convincing is needed take look at the total interest paid when a loan is amortized. And don't get me started on credit card interest. Just stop throwing away money! Digging out of the hole you've dug is hard, no question, but disposable income will be greater after filling in the hole.

Originally Posted by RBW (Post 37438503)

If you give a tip, could you be arrested for bribery?