Severance Pay Following Involuntary Separation

Reconsideration was requested of a settlement disallowing an employee's claim for severance pay. The claimant had vigorously pursued administrative appeals and otherwise indicated his unwillingness to be transferred to a new commuting area, both before and after the date of the transfer. After his grievance appeals within the agency were exhausted, the claimant formally declined the transfer, and the agency removed the employee for unauthorized absence. The claimant was entitled to severance pay despite the fact that he had reported for duty at his new duty post because the actual cause of the separation was his refusal to accept the transfer.