WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) and Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.) sent a letter to Secretary of State Antony Blinken with concerns about confusing guidance given to military spouses regarding the Domestic Employees Teleworking Overseas (DETO) program. The ability for military spouses to work for the federal government while overseas is a key recruiting and retention issue for the U.S. military. The administration should be providing as much flexibility as possible for these families, not limiting their opportunities. 

This letter was endorsed by Sue Hoppin, Founder and President, National Military Spouse Network: “Limiting DETO arrangements runs counter to the Biden/Harris Administration's goal of making the Federal government an ‘employer of choice’ for military spouses. We are thankful to the leadership of Senators Blackburn and Hassan for reaching out to the State Department to work toward a resolution that would allow more trailing spouses to retain their federal jobs through overseas moves.”

Biden Administration Guidance Negatively Impacts Military Spouses

“Our understanding is that these recent changes to the policy guidance have had a negative impact on federally employed spouses who are accompanying their spouse on government assignment or military orders overseas. Specifically, we are aware of federal civilian spouses who are working under approved DETO agreements but have been told their agreement is at risk of being revoked,” Senators Blackburn and Hassan wrote.

Unclear Guidance Denies All Telework Requests Without Adequate Reason

“Specifically, we are concerned that this policy denies all telework requests for federal employees assigned to or near military installations. We certainly understand that DETO Agreements are rare in the Federal Government due to increased security concerns and costs to employing agencies,” Senators Blackburn and Hassan wrote.

Read the letter here or below.

Dear Secretary Blinken:

We write to express concern regarding recent changes to the Department of State Foreign Affairs Manual (FAM), 3 FAM 2370, Domestic Employees Teleworking Overseas (DETO) program policy guidance, dated August 11, 2021. 

Our understanding is that these recent changes to the policy guidance have had a negative impact on federally employed spouses who are accompanying their spouse on government assignment or military orders overseas. Specifically, we are aware of federal civilian spouses who are working under approved DETO agreements but have been told their agreement is at risk of being revoked. On the other hand, there are trailing spouses seeking DETO approval by the regional Department of State Chief of Mission (COM) authority who are on extended Leave Without Pay pending review of their application and/or have been denied approval entirely despite having an approved telework agreement with an employing federal department/agency. Specifically, we are concerned that this policy denies all telework requests for federal employees assigned to or near military installations. We certainly understand that DETO Agreements are rare in the Federal Government due to increased security concerns and costs to employing agencies. To that end, we request your immediate response to the following questions:

1. What specific data or reporting prompted the memorandum limiting the issuance of DETOs?

2. What data points would the State Department require to initiate a reassessment of these limitations?

3. Historically, the host department/agency bears the cost of responsibility to keep the federal or spouse employee under a DETO Agreement. What is the administrative cost for the State Department to meet its own requirements?

4. As continued affects from COVID-19 remain ongoing, has the Department of State looked into potentially raising any numerical caps to allow federally employed trailing spouses, including military spouses, to continue to use, and expand the use, of DETO agreements?

5. What considerations have been taken regarding the impact of the memorandum on military spouses and trailing spouses deployed overseas?

6. How many DETO agreements are currently active?

7. How many DETO agreements are pending review by the regional Department of State Chief of Mission (COM) authority?

8. How many federal employees are currently on Leave Without Pay pending the review of a DETO agreement?

9. How many DETO agreement applications have been denied due to lack of resources and/or staff necessary to process applications?

We welcome an open dialogue on these matters and understand the Department of State is in communication with the Department of Defense regarding this matter. In the near-term, we look forward to a detailed response that offers an estimated timeline for resolution and addresses each of the above questions.

Thank you for your attention.