State Department Braces for Pending Layoffs: What You Need to Know Amid Federal Judge’s Ruling

The State Department is facing the possibility of significant layoffs, despite being ordered by a federal court to hold off. Reports indicate that Reduction in Force (RIF) notices might be issued soon, potentially as early as Friday.

A Foreign Service officer, who wished to remain anonymous, shared that preparations for the RIF notifications are underway. They expressed concern over the fairness of the process, suggesting that leadership should consider a clearer, more equitable approach.

Last month, the State Department announced plans to reduce its staff by nearly 1,900 employees. This includes about 1,600 departures through voluntary programs. Overall, the department is looking at an 18% cut in workforce, affecting hundreds of Foreign Service employees as well.

In a recent communication, the State Department informed employees that this reorganization would impact both civil and foreign service personnel. The department is encouraging domestic staff to update their resumes to help assess skills amid the restructuring.

Tom Yazdgerdi, president of the American Foreign Service Association, noted that RIF notifications could be sent out by the end of this week or early next week. However, the court’s injunction is complicating matters.

In June, Judge Susan Illston ruled that the federal government cannot move forward with RIFs under the current reorganization plans. The Trump administration has asked the Supreme Court to lift this injunction. Until then, the State Department faces legal restrictions on any workforce changes.

According to Yazdgerdi, only Supreme Court intervention could allow the layoffs to proceed legally. The department has stated it is committed to following court orders and intends to plan its reorganizations carefully to better address the challenges of modern diplomacy.

A recent update to the Foreign Affairs Manual outlined competitive areas for layoffs, which could redefine employee rights during RIFs. Employees are concerned that these changes could unfairly impact long-standing staff based on their current positions rather than their experience. Another Foreign Service officer described the situation as akin to a game of musical chairs, where current assignments overshadow important skills and years served.

While the State Department works to implement these changes, many employees are left feeling uncertain. With the summer being a common period for rotations and transitions, many Foreign Service members may find themselves stuck in limbo with job placements either delayed or unfulfilled.

The American Foreign Service Association noted that these looming layoffs occur while the Foreign Service is already stretched thin. Reports indicate that a quarter of the Foreign Service workforce has been reduced in recent months due to retirements and agency closures. This puts national interests at risk, according to Yazdgerdi, as disrupted diplomatic efforts could have wider consequences.

As the situation unfolds, both the Public Service and Foreign Service unions are preparing to challenge the RIFs. They emphasize that workforce reductions should not be taken lightly, especially with current staffing levels at a critical low.

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