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There may, under limited circumstances, be certain functions that must continue because they are
“necessarily implied” from the authorized continuation of other activities, such as activities to
ensure appropriate oversight over previously funded foreign assistance programs. A function
should not be treated as excepted simply because a delay or failure to complete a function will
incur additional costs (e.g., through cancellation of travel that must take place later).
Examples of excepted functions would typically include participation in peace negotiations,
multilateral conferences where the absence of a U.S. delegation could lead to a setback on
critical issues, and activities necessary to support the Secretary of State’s travel or participation
in meetings. Employees performing "excepted" functions will continue to report to work and
perform their excepted duties.
The Bureau of Global Talent Management (GTM) has developed an automated furlough
notification functionality in the Global Employment Management System (GEMS) to assist
bureaus with the administrative tasks associated with a lapse in appropriations. This
functionality eliminates the need for bureau Executive Offices to print out furlough letters for
Department employees who have an active account in Human Resources Online (HR Online).
Bureau Executive Directors must use “Lapse in Appropriations,” which is part of the furlough
functionality in GEMS, to denote which positions are excepted and non-excepted, as well as
identify positions that have residual funding and will continue to work (see Chapter 1, and page
70 for a list of bureaus that will initially have residual funding during a lapse in appropriations).
Every executive bureau, regardless of source of funding, must take action in advance of a
potential lapse in appropriations.
The Maintain Excepted Positions page in GEMS allows Bureau Executive Directors and their
delegates to view and manage excepted position designations for Department of State employee
and non-employee positions in the case of a lapse of appropriation. A reason code is required for
positions marked as excepted. The Executive Director (or designated delegate) can identify
which positions and/or employees will remain in active employment status, as well as specify
non-employee (contractor) Excepted positions. The Continuing Appropriation checkbox enables
bureaus to identify non-excepted positions that have available funding balances and will continue
to work. (see Chapter 1 and page 70). Employees occupying positions identified as having
continuing appropriations will not receive a furlough notification. To underscore, the
excepted/non-excepted designation is based on the position’s function, while the ‘continuing
appropriation’ is based on its funding. Additionally, the Executive Director (or designated