(a) Either party to an appeal to the Foreign Service Grievance Board under the provisions of 22 U.S.C. 4114 may file an exception to the action of the Foreign Service Grievance Board taken pursuant to the appeal.

(b) The time limit for filing an exception to a Foreign Service Grievance Board action is thirty (30) days after such action is communicated to the parties.

(c) An opposition to the exception may be filed by a party within thirty (30) days after the date of service of the exception.

(d) A copy of the exception and any opposition shall be served on the other party.

An exception must be a dated, self-contained document which sets forth in full:

(a) A statement of the grounds on which review is requested;

(b) Evidence or rulings bearing on the issues before the Board;

(c) Arguments in support of the stated grounds, together with specific reference to the pertinent documents and citations of authorities; and

(d) A legible copy of the decision or other document representing the action taken by the Foreign Service Grievance Board, together with legible copies of other pertinent documents pertaining to the action.

The Board will review an action of the Foreign Service Grievance Board to which an exception has been filed to determine if it is deficient—

(a) Because it is contrary to any law, rule, or regulation; or

(b) On other grounds similar to those applied by Federal courts in private sector labor-management relations.

The Board shall issue its decision taking such action and making such recommendations concerning the Foreign Service Grievance Board action as it considers necessary, consistent with applicable laws, rules, and regulations.