---
kind: "section"
citation: "5 C.F.R. § 591.237"
title: "5"
number: "591.237"
heading: "Under what circumstances may employees on leave or travel receive a COLA and/or post differential?"
url: "https://uscodex.org/cfr/5/591.237"
---

# §591.237. Under what circumstances may employees on leave or travel receive a COLA and/or post differential?

- (a) An employee on leave or travel may receive a COLA or post differential only if the agency anticipates that the employee will return to duty in the area. Exceptions: If the employee does not return to duty in the area, the agency may still pay a COLA and/or a post differential for the period of leave or travel, subject to [paragraph (b)](#b) of this section, if the agency determines that—
  - (1) It is in the public interest not to return the employee to the official worksite, or
  - (2) The employee will not return because of compelling personal reasons or circumstances over which the employee has no control.
- (b) **Post differentials.** Agencies may pay a post differential to an employee only during the employee's first 42 consecutive calendar days of absence from the post differential area.

## Notes

### Authority

Authority: 5 U.S.C. 5941; E.O. 10000, 3 CFR, 1943-1948 Comp., p. 792; and E.O. 12510, 3 CFR, 1985 Comp., p. 338.

### Source

Source: 67 FR 22340, May 3, 2002, unless otherwise noted.