The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has reassured its employees that they should not be anxious about potential layoffs if the government faces a shutdown next week. This guidance comes from Greg Gilman, the head of the SEC’s employee union, who sent a note to staff on Thursday.

In his message, Gilman said that the SEC’s preparations for a possible government shutdown have been the same as during previous shutdowns. He added that there is no reason for employees to fear that the SEC would handle this shutdown differently or use it as a reason to reduce staff further.

Government shutdowns happen when Congress and the President fail to approve federal funding on time. During such shutdowns, some federal workers may be temporarily furloughed, meaning they are put on leave without pay, while essential employees continue working. Over the years, past shutdowns have followed predictable procedures, and SEC employees have generally returned to work once funding resumed.

This reassurance comes amid warnings from the White House about possible cuts to the federal workforce if Congress does not approve a spending bill to keep the government open. A recent memo from the White House’s Office of Management and Budget asked federal agencies to identify positions that would be unfunded and not part of the President’s priorities.

SEC Chairman Paul Atkins said on Thursday that he had not yet reviewed the White House memo but believed that the SEC is working to meet the President’s priorities. This suggests that while federal agencies prepare for the possibility of a shutdown, the SEC is actively planning to ensure that operations and staff stability are maintained.

Greg Gilman emphasized that employees should stay calm and follow the usual procedures in case of a shutdown. His message aims to prevent unnecessary worry among staff about sudden layoffs or changes in staffing rules.

SEC employees play a key role in regulating financial markets, ensuring transparency, and protecting investors. Any disruption in staffing could affect important work, but past shutdowns show that the agency can continue to function while managing temporary interruptions.