Roads and sidewalks in the US capital Washington were again clogged as thousands of federal employees returned to work Thursday following the record-breaking government shutdown -- but some, like management analyst Lee Hardwick, never left.

Hardwick had to work the entire 43-day shutdown -- unpaid.

"I'm pleased that my colleagues, the ones who haven't gotten paid, or the ones who haven't been working, that they actually at least get to come back to work," the 62-year-old told AFP.

The shutdown -- a uniquely American phenomenon that happens when Congress cannot agree on a budget -- impacted more than a million government employees.

Those deemed essential, such as air traffic controllers, kept working. The others were furloughed and left waiting for news.

After 43 days, the waiting came

See Full Page