Federal Managers Association

In the News

• Shortly after laying off hundreds, State hires new class of foreign service staff - September 3, 2025

• The hiring-firing combination is "the definition of wasteful government spending,” according to one staffer.

  Eric Katz, Government Executive

  Less than 10 weeks after the State Department laid off hundreds of foreign service officers, citing bureaucratic bloat, it will begin onboarding new officers later this month.
  
  The Office of Talent Acquisition began sending out notices to the new employees last week to notify them that their orientation class will begin Sept. 22, according to an email obtained by Government Executive. About 99 new employees will join the foreign service class, according to individuals involved in or familiar with the plans.

  The hiring follows State issuing reduction-in-force notices to 1,350 employees, about 250 of whom were FSOs. The move has caused current and laid-off staff to question why the cuts were necessary if State planned to quickly turn around and once again begin hiring. Most foreign servants work as generalists, moving from one role and location to the next every few years throughout their careers.
  
  A current State employee familiar with the hiring plans said “the optics are terrible.”

  To read the full article, click here.

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