(a)(1) Except as provided in subsection (b), for purposes of this subchapter, the term “grievance” means any act, omission, or condition subject to the control of the Secretary which is alleged to deprive a member of the Service who is a citizen of the United States (other than a United States citizen employed under section 3951 of this title who is not a family member) of a right or benefit authorized by law or regulation or which is otherwise a source of concern or dissatisfaction to the member, including—

(A) separation of the member allegedly contrary to laws or regulations, or predicated upon alleged inaccuracy, omission, error, or falsely prejudicial character of information in any part of the official personnel record of the member;

(B) other alleged violation, misinterpretation, or misapplication of applicable laws, regulations, or published policy affecting the terms and conditions of the employment or career status of the member;

(C) allegedly wrongful disciplinary action against the member;

(D) dissatisfaction with respect to the working environment of the member;

(E) alleged inaccuracy, omission, error, or falsely prejudicial character of information in the official personnel record of the member which is or could be prejudicial to the member;

(F) action alleged to be in the nature of reprisal or other interference with freedom of action in connection with participation by the member in procedures under this subchapter;

(G) alleged denial of an allowance, premium pay, or other financial benefit to which the member claims entitlement under applicable laws or regulations; and

(H) any discrimination prohibited by—

(i) section 2000e-16 of title 42,

(ii) section 206(d) of title 29,

(iii) section 791 of title 29,

(iv) sections 631 and 633a of title 29, or

(v) any rule, regulation, or policy directive prescribed under any provision of law described in clauses (i) through (iv).


Terms Used In 22 USC 4131

  • agency: means an agency as defined in section 552(e) 1 of title 5. See 22 USC 3902
  • Appeal: A request made after a trial, asking another court (usually the court of appeals) to decide whether the trial was conducted properly. To make such a request is "to appeal" or "to take an appeal." One who appeals is called the appellant.
  • Complaint: A written statement by the plaintiff stating the wrongs allegedly committed by the defendant.
  • Department: means the Department of State, except that with reference to the exercise of functions under this chapter with respect to another agency authorized by law to utilize the Foreign Service personnel system, such term means that other agency. See 22 USC 3902
  • Entitlement: A Federal program or provision of law that requires payments to any person or unit of government that meets the eligibility criteria established by law. Entitlements constitute a binding obligation on the part of the Federal Government, and eligible recipients have legal recourse if the obligation is not fulfilled. Social Security and veterans' compensation and pensions are examples of entitlement programs.
  • individual: shall include every infant member of the species homo sapiens who is born alive at any stage of development. See 1 USC 8
  • Secretary: means the Secretary of State, except that (subject to section 3921 of this title) with reference to the exercise of functions under this Act with respect to any agency authorized by law to utilize the Foreign Service personnel system, such term means the head of that agency. See 22 USC 3902
  • State: means a State, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or any other territory or possession of the United States. See 1 USC 7
  • United States: when used in a geographic sense, means the several States and the District of Columbia. See 22 USC 3902

(2) The scope of grievances described in paragraph (1) may be modified by written agreement between the Department and the labor organization accorded recognition as the exclusive representative under subchapter X (hereinafter in this subchapter referred to as the “exclusive representative”).

(b) For purposes of this subchapter, the term “grievance” does not include—

(1) an individual assignment of a member under subchapter V, other than an assignment alleged to be contrary to law or regulation;

(2) the judgment of a selection board established under section 4002 of this title, a tenure board established under section 3946(b) of this title, or any other equivalent body established by laws or regulations which similarly evaluates the performance of members of the Service on a comparative basis;

(3) the expiration of a limited appointment, the termination of a limited appointment under section 4011 of this title, or the denial of a limited career extension or of a renewal of a limited career extension under section 4007(b) of this title; or

(4) any complaint or appeal where a specific statutory hearing procedure exists, except as provided in section 4139(a)(2) of this title.


Nothing in this subsection shall exclude any act, omission, or condition alleged to violate any law, rule, regulation, or policy directive referred to in subsection (a)(1)(H) from such term.

(c) This subchapter applies only with respect to the Department of State, Broadcasting 1 Board of Governors, the Agency for International Development, the Department of Agriculture, and the Department of Commerce.

  Previous section
Next section  
 Subchapter XI Contents