[dyslexicmonkey]

Too bad that government workers will not be allowed to find a freelance gig in the time that they are/will be furloughed. They need to get prior approval so that there's no conflict of interest. And since their supervisors are also furloughed, they wouldn't even be able to get said approval.

[dragonwriter]

It appears that federal employees are not generally restricted from outside employment, and only need a waiver to engage in certain official acts which would affect the financial interest of an outside employer or entity with which they are in employment negotiations.

http://www.justice.gov/jmd/ethics/generalf.htm

[specto]

Depends if they have clearance, if they do they must get approval first.

[dragonwriter]

Yeah, the "generally" in my post was not decorative: there are certainly all kinds of special conditions where more than the rules applicable to federal employees in general apply, and security clearances certainly come with their own special rules.

[aestra]

Federal employees aren't the only ones furloughed! (Some) contractors (for example) are too!

[sputknick]

Use common sense, and if necessary, put it on your annual ethics form.

[pekru]

This. But if one still does it 'off the books' sort, it should still work (though there is risk of breaching the terms in employment contract with the gubment)

[finnw]

Maybe they could argue that their employment contracts were not in effect during that period (especially as they are not being paid.)