Protecting America’s Diplomatic Workforce Act

Increased Transparency for Large Workforce Reductions: Under Section 2(a) and (b), a covered agency is generally prohibited from separating more than 50 employees in a 6-month period without providing a detailed explanation to congressional committees. This includes steps taken to exhaust other options, such as reassigning employees, and justifications for the reduction.

Mission and Diplomacy Assessments: Section 2(b)(1)(C) and (D) require agencies to assess how a reduction in force might negatively impact their ability to carry out statutory missions and how it affects United States diplomatic presence and the ability to compete with adversaries.

Standardized Foreign Service Criteria: Section 3(a)(3)(c) dictates that reduction in force procedures should be designed to ensure determinations are based primarily on performance as determined by previous selection board rankings, while also considering tenure, language capabilities, and military preference.

Improved Notice for Foreign Service Members: Section 3(a)(3)(d) requires that members of the Service be given 120 days advance notice of separation, though it allows for a minimum of 60 days.

Enhanced Employee Protections and Grievance Authority: Section 3(a)(3)(e) ensures members of the Service receive the same protections as career members of the civil service during a transfer of function, and Section 3(a)(3) grants the Foreign Service Grievances Board the same authority as the Merit Systems Protection Board to adjudicate grievances.

Advance Warning for Manual Changes: Section 5 requires the Secretary of State to provide notice and consult with congressional committees 30 days before effectuating significant changes in the Foreign Affairs Manual.

Increased Competition for Foreign Service Members: Under Section 3(a)(3)(b), the competitive area for a reduction in force is defined as worldwide, meaning employees of the same rank and cone or specialist must compete against each other for retention.

Mandatory Notice Periods for Civil Service: Section 4 establishes a 60-day notice period for a reduction in force pursuant to section 3502 of title 5, United States Code, at a covered agency.