Relocation Expenses Incident to Reduction in Force and Reemployment by Different Agency at New Location

A decision was requested with regard to the agency's determination refusing to pay the relocation expenses of an employee who was separated from one agency by a reduction in force (RIF) action and subsequently reemployed within 1 year by the requestor agency at a different locale. The relocation expenses may be paid by the gaining or the losing agency for an employee separated by a RIF and reemployed within 1 year at another geographical location as if the employee had been transferred in the interest of the government without a break in service. However, the losing and the gaining agency must agree as to which will be responsible for such costs.