Every year, the State Department completes a thorough, multi-layered process to determine who in the Foreign Service will get promoted. This year, news of impending promotion came as a surprise for some employees: just a month ago, State laid them off.

At least 10 people have been promoted since receiving layoff notices in July, according to the American Foreign Service Association, which represents the workers. They work in areas throughout the department: one was a deputy assistant secretary in the Energy Resources Bureau; others were in European and Eurasian Affairs, Economic and Business Affairs, International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, and other areas.

The laid-off employees remain on the payroll; they are on paid administrative leave through Nov. 8. If their promotions

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