Patent Office RTO Predictions

[Anonymous]

We've just been told that nothing changes immediately (I'm not covered (protected?) by a CBA, but if we have an office in Alexandria, we should probably start using it as much as possible.

[Anonymous]

The memo isn’t very clear and it’s pretty unfair of them to send this after hours on a Friday

[Anonymous]

Email from POPA says examiners are safe to continue work from home.

[Anonymous]

We’re patent examiners told they are exempt because of POPA?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is the agency that had that scandal in the 2000s when they realized their remote workers weren't actually working. I thought they cracked down on remote stuff after that.

The top golf guy wasn't a teleworker.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We’re patent examiners told they are exempt because of POPA?

POPA sent out an email not long ago.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We’re patent examiners told they are exempt because of POPA?

Not explicitly in the email I saw, but it did say CBA's would be honored

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is the agency that had that scandal in the 2000s when they realized their remote workers weren't actually working. I thought they cracked down on remote stuff after that.

The top golf guy wasn't a teleworker.

+1...he was leaving the office in Alexandria to go to Top Golf off of Van Dorn in Kingstowne during the day. Not a teleworking issue at all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Email from POPA says examiners are safe to continue work from home.

But supervisors are screwed?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Okay, but why are there 13k people working for the Patent Office? Literally what are all those people doing? We have computers, the Internet and AI now.

Thank G-d we do. Has anyone else been following the drama around Meghan Markle’s Magnolia Orchard Riviera patent? She’s been working with lawyers and designers and still can’t get it right. I imagine if low stakes stuff like this takes a ton of time that important, interesting patents require lots of expertise and technical experience.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Email from POPA says examiners are safe to continue work from home.

But supervisors are screwed?

Supervisors and anyone non-bargaining, like OGC, OCFO, etc.

Yes, we're screwed.

And we take zero appropriated funds. So you're saving exactly nothing by doing this and if/when people leave.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Email from POPA says examiners are safe to continue work from home.

But supervisors are screwed?

Supervisors and anyone non-bargaining, like OGC, OCFO, etc.

Yes, we're screwed.

And we take zero appropriated funds. So you're saving exactly nothing by doing this and if/when people leave.

SPEs can go in to sit on teams all day.

If you're forced to go in, bring your own lunch and starve the beast.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Email from POPA says examiners are safe to continue work from home.

But supervisors are screwed?

Supervisors and anyone non-bargaining, like OGC, OCFO, etc.

Yes, we're screwed.

And we take zero appropriated funds. So you're saving exactly nothing by doing this and if/when people leave.

+1 Most Americans don't know that USPTO is fully funded by fees for patents and trademarks. No tax dollars, at all.

This is going to have a disastrous impact on American IP even if it's non-bargaining employees required to RTO. It's hard enough to recruit talent leaders in any position. Think about IT and cybersecurity positions.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Email from POPA says examiners are safe to continue work from home.

But supervisors are screwed?

Supervisors and anyone non-bargaining, like OGC, OCFO, etc.

Yes, we're screwed.

And we take zero appropriated funds. So you're saving exactly nothing by doing this and if/when people leave.

SPEs can go in to sit on teams all day.

If you're forced to go in, bring your own lunch and starve the beast.

It’s not just spes. PTAB. OGC. OCFO. HR.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Email from POPA says examiners are safe to continue work from home.

But supervisors are screwed?

Supervisors and anyone non-bargaining, like OGC, OCFO, etc.

Yes, we're screwed.

And we take zero appropriated funds. So you're saving exactly nothing by doing this and if/when people leave.

SPEs can go in to sit on teams all day.

If you're forced to go in, bring your own lunch and starve the beast.

It’s not just spes. PTAB. OGC. OCFO. HR.

They should RTO if fed employees in other agencies RTO. Examiners are different and should be allowed to work remotely.