Pursuant to law and Judiciary policy, OWR’s operations are limited during Phase 2 of a lapse in appropriations and shutdown. During Phase 2, OWR is only available to assist with issues that affect someone’s safety or security, the integrity of the Judiciary, or an employee’s ability to perform excepted work. This may include:

• Receiving reports of wrongful conduct occurring during Phase 2;
• Providing informal advice about addressing or responding to potential wrongful conduct occurring during Phase 2;
• Consulting with the appropriate authorities (e.g., chief judge, court unit executive or federal public defender) on potential wrongful conduct occurring during Phase 2;
• Providing support to investigate or remedy issues arising from potential wrongful conduct occurring during Phase 2;
• Processing new Requests for Assisted Resolution or Formal Complaints alleging wrongful conduct occurring during Phase 2;
• Processing Requests for Assisted Resolution or Formal Complaints filed prior to October 17, 2025.

The main OWR email account (workplacedirector@ce9.uscourts.gov) will be checked daily to ensure that OWR may respond to inquiries or concerns during Phase 2 as permitted by Judiciary policy. To help OWR determine if responding is permitted, please provide a brief summary of your inquiry or concern via email, at workplacedirector@ce9.uscourts.gov. If you prefer to share information anonymously, please use OWR’s Incogneato app. Please note that OWR will only be able to respond to anonymous messages if you provide your email address to Incogneato.

If OWR is unable to respond to you during Phase 2, we will do so after normal operations resume.