Setting a goal of having 500 employees in its telework
program by September 2006, the Department of Commerce’s
Patent and Trademark Office has announced plans to allow
patent employees to work from home and regional worksites
more frequently.
The agency said participants in the new “patents hoteling”
program would have all the communications tools and
application processing capabilities they need to do
their jobs remotely, and that the program would allow
participants to reserve time in on-campus shared offices
to conduct business — for example, interviewing applicants
and attorneys, receiving training and attending meetings.
“The patents hoteling program represents an important
commitment to our organization and to our environment,”
said under secretary of commerce for intellectual property
Jon Dudas.
“Through this program, we can help boost the quality of
life for USPTO employees, help reduce traffic and improve
the environment, while continuing to attract and retain
the highest quality employees,” he added.
The agency said priority would be given to applicants
already in the agency’s telework program or patent management
telework program, and that it would start training and
deploying about 40 employees every two weeks.
