The General Services Administration is furloughing employees who are typically “exempt” from a government shutdown, because much of the agency isn’t funded through congressional appropriations.

GSA employees told Federal News Network these furloughs are happening contrary to the agency’s recent messages to staff, and run contrary to the agency’s longstanding practices during a shutdown.

Meanwhile, GSA has inadvertently sent notices to employees it laid off months ago, telling them that they are exempt and should continue working during the shutdown. A similar situation occurred in at least one other agency.

A GSA employee said the agency’s Federal Acquisition Service has furloughed staff who are funded through the Acquisition Services Fund, a revolving fund that includes revenue GSA receives for the services to provides to other agencies.