Reimbursement for Expenses Incurred at Temporary Duty Station

The question was raised, upon appeal of a Claims Division settlement, whether an employee could be reimbursed for expenses he incurred as a result of remaining at his temporary duty station with a fellow employee who, while also assigned to the same temporary duty, became seriously ill and required hospitalization. The employee accompanied his co-worker to the hospital, telephoned her family, and remained at the temporary duty location until her family arrived. During this time, he incurred lodging, meal, telephone, and miscellaneous expenses for which he sought reimbursement. The Claims Division denied the claim on the grounds that the expenses he incurred were personal and not essential to the transaction of official business. An employee, while traveling on official business away from his designated duty station, is entitled to a per diem allowance. Reimbursement is confined to those expenses essential to the transaction of official business. While Federal Travel Regulations provide for the continuation of per diem payments to a traveler who becomes ill or injured while on temporary duty, that authority does not extend to a traveling companion, a spouse, or a friend who remains with the incapacitated employee. The decision of the employee to remain at his temporary duty station with his injured co-worker must be regarded as his personal choice, notwithstanding that the injury occurred while enroute to the temporary duty site. His actions could not be characterized as essential to the transacting or performing of official business. His claim for reimbursement was denied, and the Claims Division's determination was sustained.