---
kind: "section"
citation: "22 U.S.C. § 8243"
title: "22"
title_heading: "Foreign Relations and Intercourse"
number: "8243"
heading: "Personnel policies at the Department of State"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/22/8243"
units:
  - "Chapter 89 — Advancing Democratic Values"
  - "Subchapter IV — Training in Democracy and Human Rights; Incentives"
---

# §8243. Personnel policies at the Department of State


In addition to the awards and other incentives already implemented, the [Secretary](/usc/22/8203.md?p=7) should increase incentives for members of the Foreign Service and other employees of the [Department](/usc/22/8203.md?p=5) who take assignments relating to the promotion of democracy and the protection of human rights, including the following:

- (1) Providing performance pay under [section 3965 of this title](/usc/22/3965.md) to such members and employees who carry out their assignment in an outstanding manner.
- (2) Considering such an assignment as a basis for promotion into the Senior Foreign Service.
- (3) Providing Foreign Service Awards under [section 4013 of this title](/usc/22/4013.md) to such members and employees who provide distinguished or meritorious service in the promotion of democracy or the protection of human rights.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 110–53, title XXI, § 2143, Aug. 3, 2007, 121 Stat. 535.)