Thousands of federal employees won’t be heading to work in the coming days. They are forced to take furlough days as the government has deemed them “non-excepted” employees. That terminology has evolved from what used to be deemed “non-essential” employees. Jessica Klement from the National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association explains how at first glance the general public may think some of these jobs aren’t necessary, but that may not be the case. Photo: Flickr/southerntabitha