Originally Posted by: DroneBee 
So think about what you want - and think big because the agency will try to lower this substantially. Good luck and God Bless!
I disagree with this advice: don't think big, think reasonably. Asking for $300k for comp damages is a common starting offer for appellants: the MSPB does not make such awards and such an offer wastes time and is not taken seriously. If you have numbers for comp damages, have something to back it up (medical documentation supporting
permanent damage
caused by (or exacerbated by) the action), otherwise the amount you get (even
IF you prove a Title VII affirmative defense, which is hard) will be VERY small (i.e., less than $5k).
Remember, if your offer is more than the AJ could award if you win, the agency will just go to hearing. No incentive to settle. If the agency proves at least some of those AWOL specifications, the AJ could still sustain your removal, even if the agency fails to prove all of the specifications. The MSPB has upheld removals for as little as 5 days of AWOL.
If your wife wants her job back, that's the most important thing. For example, if I thought the agency could prove some of the charges, I would consider a reinstatement with less or no backpay and mitigation to a suspension. Be creative and good luck!
One thing in your wife's favor: AWOL and failure to follow instructions charges are technical, so the agency can be tripped up.