Production, Performance, and Examination
Technical Training Program Expanded
POPA and management have agreed to an expansion of the Non-Duty Hours Technical Training Program. The previous program was limited to courses related to the employee's current technology. The new agreement covers courses that are "mission-related". Thus, in addition to courses that would enhance skills in the current field of art, an employee may take courses that would enable the acquisition of skills necessary to examine other technologies. Virtually all other program requirements remain unchanged.
Management to Implement Flat Goal Pilot
Management served notice on POPA that it intends to implement the flat goal pilot program next Wednesday, November 22, 2006. Read a statement from POPA President Robert Budens concerning the action.
The USPTO has proposed changes to information disclosure statement (IDS) submission requirements. If the changes are implemented, applicant would be required to provide additional information for lengthy English language documents, foreign language documents, and in cases where more than twenty documents are submitted. According to the USPTO, "The proposed changes will enable the examiner to focus on the relevant portions of submitted information at the very beginning of the examination process, give higher quality first actions, and minimize wasted steps."
Management Proposes New Performance Appraisal Plan
The USPTO has notified POPA that it intends to implement a new Performance Appraisal Plan (PAP) that would require a flat goal of production units per year per examiner. It appears that the proposed PAP will be yet another way to increase the burden on examiners.
POPA's Preliminary Assessment of the Proposed PAP
Management's Notice to POPA Regarding the Proposed PAP
Proposed PAP for a GS-14 Primary Examiner