Reconsideration of Claim for Travel Compensation

A request was made for reconsideration of the denial by the Claims Group of a claim by an Army employee for overtime compensation for hours spent commuting to and from his worksite in a Government bus. The employee contended that he was forced to lodge 50 miles from the worksite. He was transported to the worksite and back by Government bus. The employee stated that his lodging quarters were solely for the convenience of the Army; therefore, the bus ride was official travel for which he should be compensated. In defense of his position, the employee stated the hours of travel were within the regularly scheduled workweek. The general rule is that travel which has no purpose other than to transport an employee to and from the place where he is to perform his duties is not work and is not compensable as overtime unless the conditions under applicable regulations are met. The employee's travel resulted from an administratively controlled event and no work was performed while traveling. Thus, the employee's travel between his lodgings and worksite could not be regarded as overtime hours of work within the limited exceptions of the applicable regulations. The action by the Claims Group, denying the claim, was sustained.