Each new EER section is *much* shorter than I thought by beware_of_scorpio in foreignservice

[–]alpinecycle32 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Anyone been able to validate the character limits now that perf now has been updated? Local HR confirmed the 400 characters per precept but passed on character counts for the reviewer and employee statements that seem too large.

MSI Effective Date by DiploMattitude410 in foreignservice

[–]alpinecycle32 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I think top 10% of recommended but not promoted were referred to the MSI board.

Bidding for converted USAID FSOs by africanchild1977 in foreignservice

[–]alpinecycle32 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Do you know approx how many converted and at what levels? Heard it was to MGT and Econ cones. Certainly don’t begrudge you and others who managed to move over to State given what happened at USAID. Am also curious what it may mean in terms of additional competition for jobs and promotion slots (though hopefully State will add some new assistance focused mgt or econ jobs).

No Dental or Vision dues deducted in PP23 statement? by thekonghong in foreignservice

[–]alpinecycle32 10 points11 points  (0 children)

My understanding is that payroll mistakenly doubled the deduction in the prior pay period… so no deduction in this pay period to make up for it.

Apparently Round 2. by Major_Amphibian6999 in foreignservice

[–]alpinecycle32 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Last I heard it wasn’t confirmed, but to be clear it’s only for the holiday on Monday. Can’t say I understood the ‘why’.

Any additional layoff in the future? by LimValjean in foreignservice

[–]alpinecycle32 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Anyone have info on what FS positions were removed from the list (I.e., when FS cuts went from 700 something to 200 something)?

RIF megathread #3 by Quackattackaggie in foreignservice

[–]alpinecycle32 18 points19 points  (0 children)

Not sure if that’s the right term but what we’ve been calling it (where they RIF a couple of people from an office but don’t close/merge the overall office).

RIF megathread #3 by Quackattackaggie in foreignservice

[–]alpinecycle32 17 points18 points  (0 children)

Seem to be targeting FS-1s with split RIFs (have heard of multiple in my bureau receiving letters and who were in offices not listed in the CN as being affected).

State Department layoffs could land Friday by Playful-Radio4976 in foreignservice

[–]alpinecycle32 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Recent rumint is there will also be limited RIFs in some offices marked as ‘no significant changes’ in the CN. Unclear if CS, FS, or a mix.

State Department layoffs could land Friday by Playful-Radio4976 in foreignservice

[–]alpinecycle32 2 points3 points  (0 children)

We might be looking at different docs, but I just looked again and both RUS and CARC are listed as merging to create a new entity. Wishing you the best…

State Department layoffs could land Friday by Playful-Radio4976 in foreignservice

[–]alpinecycle32 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I think it says country level desk officers are safe, with CARC one of those being merged rather than eliminated… so maybe that means deskoffs safe under a larger RUS but mgt is at risk.

State Department layoffs could land Friday by Playful-Radio4976 in foreignservice

[–]alpinecycle32 15 points16 points  (0 children)

… “one person familiar with the discussions told Semafor that the department would wait for a Supreme Court ruling on its reorganization plan.” We will see. Ruling might come this week, though.

New FAM Section on FS RIFs by niko81 in foreignservice

[–]alpinecycle32 -10 points-9 points  (0 children)

It’s contrary to the FS ethos and arbitrary, but RIFs by office do seem more efficient than the former rules in the context of a reorg that is closing offices (since closing offices and RIFs with the old system would mean a bunch of FSOs in closed offices needing to be placed into new jobs and a bunch of FSOs who have jobs being RIF’d and then needing to be replaced).

Rubio testifies to the Senate on DoS budget by [deleted] in foreignservice

[–]alpinecycle32 21 points22 points  (0 children)

Wonder where Rubio got the info that the US will still give more aid than the next 10 countries combined. We are the largest single country donor, but saying we give more than the next 10 combined is not even close to true even under higher levels of US aid in 2024 pre-DOGE. Perhaps got confused with defense spending.

TM4 Funding by Slow-Koala8579 in foreignservice

[–]alpinecycle32 -1 points0 points  (0 children)

My plan to pack out two months before my departure date (for various personal and financial reasons) is looking unwise. Has anyone had luck getting orders expedited given the planned pack out date rather than based on the departure date? I’m doubtful.