[Query Concerning Authority To Release Employees as Holiday Good-Will Gesture]

On the day before the Christmas holiday, the commanding officer of an Army facility released the facility's civilian employees before working hours were over as a holiday goodwill gesture. An Army personnel officer determined that the commander had no authority to grant the employees administrative leave, because it did not serve the interests of the government. GAO held that personnel regulations do not prohibit the discretionary excusing of employees for brief periods of time without loss of pay or charge to leave. Accordingly, the commanding officer's action was proper.