Purpose

This is a continuation of our examination detailed in Report 2015-BSE1-04, which outlined our findings regarding travel expenses incurred by a Department employee for calendar years 2013 and 2014. The objective of our examination was to determine if the Department continued to improperly designate the employee’s official station in calendar years 2015, 2016 and 2017.

Background

As reported in 2015-BSE1-04, according to the State’s travel rules and regulations, travel between an employee’s residence and official station is considered commuting and is not reimbursable. The official station of every employee is designated by the head of the agency and is typically the employee’s usual work location. If an employee works at more than one location, the employee’s official station will normally be the employee’s main place of business (i.e., the place where the employee works more than any other work location). Such designation is to be in the best interest of the State and not for the convenience of an employee or to maximize travel expense reimbursement.

Key Findings

We found the Department continued to improperly designate the employee’s official station through May 8, 2017. As a result, the Department paid $22,651.32, $26,556.12 and $6,007.79 in travel expenses for calendar years 2015, 2016 and 2017, respectively, for the employee to commute between his residence and his main work location. Department officials informed us that on May 8, 2017, the employee’s assignment ended at his main work location. We confirmed the employee’s official station was correct from May 8 through December 31, 2017.