USAID Puts All Direct Hire Personnel on Administrative Leave

The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) issued a directive on Feb. 4 instructing that all direct hire personnel to be placed on “administrative leave globally” on Feb. 7, except for those handling essential duties. The internal directive, posted on the USAID’s website, stated that there would be exceptions for “designated personnel responsible for mission-critical functions, core leadership and specially designated programs.” According to the directive, agency leadership will notify essential personnel expected to continue working by Feb. 6. It stated that a plan is being developed to coordinate the return of USAID personnel based overseas to the United States within 30 days....