White House layoff threats and the greatest resignation in American history highlight paycheck uncertainty—here’s how to prepare if it happens to you

Woman sad at desk doing bills (Credit: Alexandr Kolesnikov-Getty Images)

As much as you can try to prepare for sudden changes to income, nothing truly prepares you for being laid off. Take U.S. federal workers who have felt a shock to their job stability in recent days, as an example. A deadlock in Congress over a deal to keep the government funded has left many government employees furloughed or working without pay. 

Members of President Trump’s administration have even threatened layoffs if Democrats don’t concede as the government works through its second day of a shutdown.