Per Diem Allowances for Employees Who Returned to Their Residences Each Day

A decision was requested concerning per diem claims by two employees who chose to return to their residences at the close of each working day rather than remain at the temporary duty station at government expense. Determination of whether to authorize per diem is within the agency's discretion, and the agency's policy was not to authorize per diem when an employee voluntarily returned home each day. Properly issued travel orders cannot be retroactively rescinded on the sole basis of subsequent reversal of administrative policy.