Telecommuting Is the Norm at the US Patent Office
Patent reviewers and trademark examining attorneys who work for the federal government are likely doing their jobs from home.
About 66 percent of employees at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office are telecommuting, the Washington Post reports. The office is an exception to the norm for federal workers; only about 25 percent of federal employees whose jobs could be done through telework actually do their jobs remotely.
An inspector general’s report found the telecommuting program saves $17 million a year for office rent, the story says. The average telecommuter there works 66.3 more hours a year examining patents than the average reviewer who works at the office. And telecommuters claim less administrative and sick leave.
The telework program is run by Danette Campbell, who is a finalist for Samuel J. Heyman Service to America Management Excellence Medal as a result of her efforts.
