Time and Attendance Abuse at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
PURPOSE:
- To provide an opportunity for members to understand the steps the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has taken and still need to take to prevent time and attendance abuse.
BACKGROUND:
- In August 2015, the Office of Inspector General (OIG) was alerted to potential time and attendance abuse where a USPTO examiner committed at least 730 hours of time and attendance abuse, resulting in payment of $25,000 for hours not worked.
- OIG conducted an agency-wide investigation and released its findings in an August 2016 report identifying over 288,000 unsupported hours equating to more than $18.3 million in potential waste.
- OIG found USPTO did not fully address some recommendations issued in the 2015 report.
Witnesses and testimonies
| Name | Title | Organization | Panel | Document |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Honorable Russell Slifer | Deputy Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property | Deputy Director, United States Patent and Trademark Office | Document | |
| Mr. David Smith | Acting Deputy Inspector General | U.S. Department of Commerce | Document | |
| Ms. Pamela Schwartz | President | Patent Office Professional Association | Document | |
| Mr. David Chu, Ph.D. | Panel Chair | National Academy of Public Administration | Document |