Every Day Is Goof-Off-At-Work Day At the US Patent and Trademark Office

McGruber writes An internal investigation by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office found that some of its 8,300 patent examiners repeatedly lied about the hours they were putting in and many were receiving bonuses for work they did not do. While half of the USPTO's Patent Examiners work from home full time, oversight of the telework program — and of examiners based at the Alexandria headquarters — was "completely ineffective," investigators concluded. The internal investigation also unearthed another widespread problem. More than 70 percent of the 80 managers interviewed told investigators that a "significant" number of examiners did not work for long periods, then rushed to get their reviews done at the end of each quarter. Supervisors told the review team that the practice "negatively affects" the quality of the work. "Our quality standards are low," one supervisor told the investigators. "We are looking for work that meets minimal requirements." Patent examiners review applications and grant patents on inventions that are new and unique. They are experts in their fields, often with master's and doctoral degrees. They earn at the top of federal pay scale, with the highest taking home $148,000 a year.

Comments

Re:Where do I sign up?

[smooth wombat]

their revenue is collected for them at gun point by the IRS.

Really? I'm sorry, but when was the last time any IRS official pulled a gun on someone and told them to hand over their money.

Oh, I see. You mean like Goldman Sachs, Bank of America, AIG and a whole host of other private companies who told the American taxpayers they will hand over their money so the people who nearly brought down the country's financial institution can still get their bonuses.

Maybe the Federal government is different, but I know for a fact people in state government fired all the time for not doing their job. The only thing it takes is for their non-work to be documented. Once that happens, there is nothing any Union can say about their firing.

But please, continue your rant of how evil government is. After all, the benevolence of the private sector is so well known we sing their praises every day because they never, EVER take advantage of people or stick it to us in their quest for profits.

Re:Where do I sign up?

[dywolf]

no its not 100% correct/
its 100% ignorant and stupid.

you like a military that will defend you?
you like clearn water and air?
you like a social safety net that keeps the weakest from falling too far?
you like a postal system?
you like you drivable roads?
you like food safety inspections and standards?
you like fireman to save your house, and police to catch bad guys?

i guess in your worldview the government should just demand and force people fulfill those services without pay?
oh you dont think that? government shoul dhave to pay those things like everyone?

then guess what: pay your taxes and stfu.

Every citizen pays their taxes (or should) willingingly, if grudgingly, because they understand that these things cost money.
if you dont understand that you are a poorly educated moron that they forgot to teach basic civics to in grade school.

Re:Public servants don't give an arm and a leg

[serviscope_minor]

Your post "Implies" that we have no business caring about public sector worker because "Private Sector Sucks!"

No it didn't. The GP claimes that "Public servants don't give an arm and a leg". And it was modded insightful.

It shows no insight: there are plenty of public sector workers who do care and there are plenty of private sector ones who don't. In other words, the jab at the ppublic sector workers as a whole (as opposed to this group) is unwarranted.

I stand corrected. But your post is still either written by an idiot or driven by an agenda.

And what, pray tell is that o master of determining hidden nonexistent agendas?