Welcome Back, America: How to Regain Momentum Together After a Shutdown

Shutdowns don’t just pause government, they ripple through communities, businesses and households. When the lights flick back on, it’s not just federal employees returning to work. It’s managers trying to reset priorities, human resources teams untangling backlogs, government contractors reconnecting with mission partners and citizens waiting for services they depend on.

So how do we move from pause to progress…together? Here’s some practical, real-world steps for every stakeholder in this ecosystem — for those who serve, from one who did too.

For Leaders and Managers: Set the Tone

Your team is looking to you for clarity and confidence. Try out a few of these ideas:

Host a “Welcome Back Town Hall” or Team Regroup Meeting: Share what’s changed, what hasn’t and what matters most now.
Reconnection Challenge: Commit to one personal check-in per day for the next 30 days. Ask: “What’s one thing you need to feel supported right now?”
Mission Mapping: Use a simple visual board (or virtual one) to re-align everyone on priorities as they move and change. Invite the team to contribute their understanding of what matters most from day to day, as you dig out of backlogs and reprioritize mission work.

For HR and Support Staff: Be the Bridge

You’re the glue holding this together. Make sure all you offer is understood and easily available to those who need it most.

Reboarding Kits: Centralize urgent deadlines (like Open Season, Performance Review timelines, Pay and Benefits or Use-or-Lose FAQs, mental health. wellbeing resources and other urgent and important updates, in one easy package.
Listening Circles: Create safe spaces for employees to share concerns and ideas and ask the hard questions they may be worried about asking their supervisors.
Automate the Easy Wins: Partner with IT to streamline repetitive tasks like onboarding forms or benefits updates. Or even test out those new AI tools coming to your workforce or create a sandbox for easy wins and pilot projects to create easy tools and resources for you to help the workforce get back to work.

For Employees: Reset, Realign and Recharge Your Focus

You’ve been through a lot — now it’s time to reconnect.

Ask Yourself These 3 Questions:

“What are our top priorities right now?”

“What’s changed since before the shutdown?”

“How can I help the team move forward today?”

Peer Buddy System: Pair up for weekly check-ins and mutual support.
Mental Health Mondays: Block time for participating in wellbeing activities or to take advantage of confidential Employee Assistance Program resources or sessions.

For Contractors: Reconnect and Drive Impact

You’re critical to mission success — make it visible and manage up.

Reintegration Briefings: Join agency-led sessions to understand new priorities.
Impact Dashboards: Share quick metrics showing how your work accelerates recovery.
Cross-Team Huddles: Ask to join (even for just 15 minutes of federal team weekly stand-ups) with federal counterparts to stay aligned.

For Citizens and Customers: Extend Grace and Respect

Shutdowns don’t just impact agencies — they affect families, local businesses, and the people who rely on government services every day. When operations restart, citizens can play a powerful role in rebuilding trust and momentum.

Here’s how:

Extend Grace and Patience

Why it matters: Federal employees and contractors are returning to mountains of backlogged work. Delays are inevitable.
Action: When calling for services or visiting offices, lead with empathy. A simple “I know you’ve had a tough few weeks — thank you for what you do” can change the tone of an interaction.

Support Local Businesses and Workers

Why it matters: Shutdowns often hit small businesses near federal hubs and contractors who depend on government work.
Action: Choose local vendors, tip generously, and share community resources. If you know someone impacted, check in and ask: “How can I help lighten the load?”

Advocate for Transparency and Solutions

Why it matters: Citizens are stakeholders too. Your voice can help agencies prioritize what matters most.
Action: Use official feedback channels to share constructive input. Instead of venting, frame it as: “Here’s what would make this process easier for families like mine.”

Create Community Connection

Why it matters: Isolation and stress don’t disappear when the shutdown ends.
Action: Organize neighborhood meetups, volunteer drives, or virtual support groups for those affected. Even a local Facebook group sharing updates and resources can make a difference.

Spread Accurate Stories and Information

Why it matters: Misinformation fuels frustration.
Action: Share official updates from agency websites or trusted sources — not rumors. If you’re unsure, say so. Accuracy builds trust. Tell stories of real-life public servants like from Humans of Public Service or nominate someone you know to showcase their service to America.

Let’s Unite in Service to America

Reintegration isn’t just about catching up on work — it’s about repairing trust, restoring connection and reigniting purpose. Whether you’re leading a team, processing HR actions, delivering services or waiting for them, we all play a role in moving forward.

A Government for the People, By the People isn’t just a governmental responsibility — it’s a community effort. When citizens lead with empathy, advocate for clarity and support those impacted, we all move forward faster.

Mika Cross is a government workplace expert. Learn more about her at www.mikacross.com.

Want more tools, templates, and strategies to make this transition smoother? Check out our library of Management Minutes with Mika (and friends) or Download the Ultimate Reboarding Playbook for Federal Teams and Contractors.