On Tuesday, Margaret J.A. Peterlin, the Deputy Director of the USPTO and the Deputy Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property, testified in favor of the progress made by the USPTO’s telework program. Testifying before the House of Representatives Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, Peterlin noted that “Our experience shows telework programs result in greater employee productivity, higher levels of sustained performance, reduced traffic congestion and air pollution, and reduced real estate costs.” According to the USPTO announcement (link below), and at the close of FY2007, the USPTO had over 3,600 employees participating in some for of telework under 17 formal telework initiatives and 3 additional pilot programs. Specific information was also provided regarding the Trademark Work-at-Home (TWAH) program and the Patent Hoteling Program, starting in 1997 and 2006, respectively, noting that over 240 trademark attorneys and over 1,000 patent examiners participate in those two specific programs. Peterlin also commented on what the future may hold for USPTO employees, noting that there is a “goal” of having some employees work full-time at the USPTO, some employees telecommute once a week, some participate in a hoteling program, and some living outside of the main metropolitan area and only “rarely” coming in to the office. Additional details regarding Peterlin’s testimony is provided in the announcement link below.

USPTO Announcement: LINK
Margaret J.A. Peterlin USPTO Biography: LINK