[Request for Decision Concerning Employee Travel and Transportation Expenses Claim]

The Department of the Interior requested a decision as to whether a transferred employee who did not complete his required term of government service at his new duty station was entitled to travel and transportation expenses incident to his transfer. GAO noted that: (1) the employee requested retirement for health reasons; (2) the agency requested the employee to remain at his new duty station approximately 3 months prior to his retirement; and (3) the employee agreed to the transfer if the agency would pay his travel and transportation expenses. GAO held that: (1) an agency may pay travel, transportation, and relocation expenses only if an employee agrees to remain in government service for 12 months after his transfer, unless he is separated for reasons beyond his control; and (2) since the agency requested that the employee remain on duty, the transfer was in the government's interest and his early voluntary retirement was a valid reason for his separation. GAO found that the employee was entitled to reimbursement for his expenses. Accordingly, Interior may reimburse the employee for the expenses incident to his transfer, subject to its determination that the separation was beyond his control.