[leereeves]

They aren't really required to work [without pay]. They're allowed to quit.

They're just required to work [without being paid immediately] if they want to keep the job, with the promise that they'll be paid later.

Edit: Except for the Coast Guard, for whom the current situation really sucks.

[inferiorhuman]

Coast Guard aside, various federal employees are prohibited from having second jobs or looking for other work.

[mike10010100]

> They aren't really required to work. They're allowed to quit. They're just required to work if they want to keep the job

I'm not really required to breathe, but if I don't, I'll stop living.

So...yeah...that's what's known as a requirement.

[leereeves]

Obviously I meant "work at that job" as in "work without pay", but I'll edit my post to make that clear.