Tropical Storm Karen decided that it wasn’t waiting for it to be convenient for the U.S. government. Of course the people who are needed when a potential hurricane is spotted are being called back to work. While the article doesn’t mention it, they presumably aren’t going to get paid though they are expected to come back to work. This is, of course, the case with all of the federal workers who are deemed important enough to not be furloughed. Of course, it’s not just a matter of having to report to work but there are also the expenses involved in doing so. Gas, parking, tolls or public transit fees are some of the expenses that going to work can entail. So those workers who are told they have to come to work just aren’t working for free. They’re paying for the privilege.