Ask the Lawyer received the following question (paraphrased for easier reading and clarity) from a reader on a legal matter that might be of interest to the entire audience.
Q:
If I am on TDY in Japan and already have overtime hours on the current pay period, can I travel to other countries on my own expense during the same pay period?
A:
Although I cannot determine all the facts from your question, I assume that you are asking if you can take leave for personal travel once you have completed your requisite number of hours while on an international TDY. There are no specific rules or regulations that expressly permit or prohibit you from travelling during your free time while on a TDY. I advise you to submit your leave request through the regular agency procedures. Of course, approving or denying your leave is discretionary with your agency. For example, if you have a 10-day TDY in Japan, it might not be unreasonable for your agency to deny your request for 3-days of leave for you to vacation around Asia, especially if your presence is needed elsewhere. If you are on a lengthy TDY in Japan, it is most likely reasonable for you to receive approval for a couple of days of leave during a pay period in which you have already completed your requisite hours of work. Ultimately, the circumstances of your TDY and the nature of your request will dictate whether it is in the best interest of your agency.
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