Telework

POPA employees have telework opportunities depending on their business unit and their position eligibility for telework. Most POPA employees can participate in telework. Any employee who has been disciplined for accessing porn or being AWOL is statutorily not permitted to telework. 

Telework Agreements for the different business units:

1. POPA employees in Patents have the following options:

   • Both programs include secondary alternate worksites.

     • Patents Fulltime Telework Program (PFTP) - (PFTP includes the options of hoteling, 50 mile or TEAP which are described in the agreement)

     • Patents Partial Telework Program (PPTP)

2. POPA employees in CFO and CIO may participate in the OCFO/OCIO Telework Program

3. POPA employees in OGC may participate in the OGC Telework Program

4. POPA employees in the PTAB may participate in the PTAB Telework Program

5. POPA employees in OPIA may participate in the OPIA Telework Program

6. POPA employees in OGA may participate in the OGA Telework Program

7. New remote hires telework program

TEAP Agreement - for employees on a full time telework program and living more than 50 miles from any USPTO office

Legislative Prohibitions on Telework

Time Zones and Automation Systems Maintenance Times

As a reminder to Patents employees please note the following information regarding local time zones and automation systems maintenance periods for Patents automated systems such as eDan, PE2E, EAST, etc.

The work schedules of all non-teleworkers and PTP examiners are in the time zone of their USPTO office. 

The work schedules of all PHP examiners are in the time zone of their approved alternate worksite.

All employees need to be aware that computer system maintenance times are all Eastern Time and as follows: 

• Sunday 10:00 pm until Monday 5:30 am
• Monday Midnight until Tuesday 5:30 am
• Tuesday Midnight until Wednesday 5:30 am
• Wednesday Midnight until Thursday 5:30 am
• Thursday Midnight until Friday 5:30 am
• Friday 10:00 pm until Saturday 9:00 am
• Saturday 10:00 pm until Sunday 9:00 am

Computer system availability hours are NOT the same as work schedule, overtime, compensatory time and credit hour time bands.  Employees need to be aware that automated systems may not be available during computer maintenance time and they will need to adjust their work hours accordingly.

Also, the core hour each week for all Patent examiners/POPA bargaining unit employees is Thursday 1:00-2:00 pm Eastern Time.