Request for Reimbursement of Personal Funds Expended Incident to Permanent Change of Station

An employee of the Department of Health, Education and Welfare was transferred to an Audit Agency under a no-cost travel order issued at his request. The protester maintained that even though his permanent change of station move was effective under a no-cost travel order he should be reimbursed for two reasons. First, the employee contended that the move was for the benefit of the Audit Agency because he helped to fill a void. Secondly, since the agency normally reimburses employees for such moves, he too should be reimbursed. Regulation precludes the payment of travel and transportation expenses where the change of official station is not in the interest of the Government but is primarily for the convenience or benefit of the employee or at his request. While the record did not contain a specific finding that the employee's transfer was in the interest of the Government, it is clear that the employee took initiative in obtaining transfer and was informed of the no-cost travel. The present situation indicated no error of exception. The protester's claim for travel and transportation expenses incurred incident to his permanent change of station was denied.