[Decision Concerning Former USDA Employee's Claim for Backpay]

A former Department of Agriculture (USDA) employee appealed her directed reassignment and subsequent placement on absent-without-leave (AWOL) status for failing to report for duty, contending that she was entitled to backpay for the period of AWOL status. GAO held that there was no basis for the backpay claim, since USDA: (1) properly used directed reassignment procedures; (2) had a legitimate reason for the reassignment; and (3) properly notified the claimant of the reassignment. Accordingly, the claim was denied.