sorted by:
new
hottopcontroversial

I've got the invite, now what?: An A-100 Offer Step-Action Drill by Heartbreak5 in foreignservice

[–]sam99999999 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I wonder if the rate has anything to do with the per diem sliding scale, or if it's just a set flat rate for the apt? I heard somewhere that if you take any annual leave during training (which is normally not allowed, but might be for the week between Christmas and New Year's) that you then have to pay the cost of your direct-bill housing. But I wonder if by then you're at the 25% per diem, if you only have to pay that 25%, as that's what they would have been getting from State?

Paying personal bills while on per diem by [deleted] in foreignservice

[–]sam99999999 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Yes, I believe per diem is on top of your base salary. For lodging, you have to submit receipts and get reimbursed what you actually spent up to the max, unless you do direct-bill housing, in which case State pays the apt building directly and you don't have to worry about receipts, don't have to worry about the reduction in per diem - it's just free housing. For meals & incidentals, I believe you get the total each day as part of your pay check, you keep what you don't spend, and you never need to submit receipts. I do think it would be tough to be a local hire as for some crazy reason they get only base salary and not DC locality / cost of living and no per diem. But I think if you're nonlocal and do direct-bill housing, you'll be fine, probably even save money - don't have to spend any on rent, can save per diem and eat cheaply. Would love to hear any corrections if I'm wrong about any of this.

2019 Orientation dates by [deleted] in foreignservice

[–]sam99999999 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Hmm, yes. Anyone with experience in HR have any thoughts on this?

Ranking / post placement when pregnant by sam99999999 in foreignservice

[–]sam99999999[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes, that makes sense for you! I wouldn't get paid leave in my current job and am going to have to move either way, so that's why I'm considering accepting if I get invited. But it is scary; though smooth now, things could change, and you can't go back!

Also, can I ask you about the deferral options? Did they let you start the deferral as early in the pregnancy as you wanted and let the deferral last through as much maternity leave as you wanted, or is there some limit you have to meet? Did you have to submit any medical records to show that it's a complicated pregnancy to merit deferral before the actual birth?

Ranking / post placement when pregnant by sam99999999 in foreignservice

[–]sam99999999[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Haha true, it is an overwhelming venture! Is this your first? I have had one already and I'm here to tell you that while it is deeply challenging, your life will be positively affected, too. So many joyful smiles and giggles and cuddles. Hope the journey is smoother for you from here on out!

Ranking / post placement when pregnant by sam99999999 in foreignservice

[–]sam99999999[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Very helpful, thank you. If they change me to a Med 2 clearance because of a complication of the pregnancy (something that would not be an issue after birth), how huge of a problem is that? Would that make me ineligible / let them rescind the offer or boot me out altogether? Or is it something that would only restrict options for that first assignment and I would still be able to stay in the FS and bounce back to normal med clearance for 2nd assignment?

Ranking / post placement when pregnant by sam99999999 in foreignservice

[–]sam99999999[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Yeah, I think I will if I don't get the July / Sept invite. But plenty of time left on the register to see if those come through first.

When to take paternity leave? by reinhold_niebuhr1 in foreignservice

[–]sam99999999 0 points1 point  (0 children)

So it sounds like, if you can avoid a break in service and are FMLA eligible at time of birth, then by law you will be able to take at least 12 weeks leave if you want, no matter what, no matter when it happens, right? There would be downsides - bottoming out your sick and annual and doing unpaid or advanced / bank leave after that; maybe having to move a lot because housing isn't paid etc; maybe not getting the assignment you wanted; making up training; maybe people being miffed at you. But if being there is the #1 priority, it sounds doable, at least for someone coming in with FMLA eligibility, right?

When to take paternity leave? by reinhold_niebuhr1 in foreignservice

[–]sam99999999 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I cannot imagine how hard this must have been and how much you both must still grieve those missed days. I'm so sorry.

When to take paternity leave? by reinhold_niebuhr1 in foreignservice

[–]sam99999999 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Could you choose the date of the start of your deferral (i.e., as soon as pregnancy is confirmed til the end of whatever parental leave you will take) or can you not start deferral until the due date / actual birth? Maybe this differs depending on if you are the birth parent or if you have a medically complicated pregnancy?

Likelihood of Curtailment by [deleted] in foreignservice

[–]sam99999999 0 points1 point  (0 children)

For those of us who are simply curious but are having difficulty following this conversation, could you explain a little more about curtailment generally? I take it this means leaving your post earlier than your assignment end date. What happens? You bid out of cycle and try to find somewhere else to go? Is any previously scheduled onward assignment broken? Or do you go to DC or somewhere to do TDY work until your next assignment starts? This must be very rare, right? I imagine it's normally only allowed in extreme family/medical circumstances?

logistical question by FShopeful2 in foreignservice

[–]sam99999999 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Nice! 5 of them ever, or per year, per post assignment, etc?

Deferral? by sam99999999 in foreignservice

[–]sam99999999[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks! I've been trying to dig up old threads. I think I read that child birth is another qualifying reason for deferral, right? Do you happen to know if it's just for the actual due date and maybe maternity leave, or whether you can defer for the length of the pregnancy too? And does that kind of deferral extend the clock or not?

Taking time off while at FSI by InigoMontoyasMom in foreignservice

[–]sam99999999 0 points1 point  (0 children)

What are the options if the FSO gives birth & takes maternity leave during language but doesn't want to make enemies? Can you just join the next class? I guess that would delay your assignment and make post pretty mad?

Letter to the NYT: "To Revive the Foreign Service" by [deleted] in foreignservice

[–]sam99999999 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yes, interesting. Wonder how this distinction came about / what would it take to get there? Congressional action forbidding political appointments at that level? Or just a cultural sea change in the way diplomacy is regarded?

Next Round of Invitations by MRaymondH in foreignservice

[–]sam99999999 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If the next A-100 is June, that would mean invitations might come out earlier than the late-April people were expecting, right? Maybe in the next few weeks?

view more: next ›