Dear Colleagues, 

If you haven‘t already, I encourage you to provide your feedback through this year’s Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey (FEVS) by July 5.  

The information you share is so important that we grant an hour of Other Time to make sure employees can focus on it and provide your fullest feedback. For our production employees, remember that you may take advantage of up to one hour of Non-production and Other Time authorized for FEVS participation. It’s through the FEVS and other feedback channels that we’re able to identify and advance policy changes such as: 

• Expanded and permanent remote and flexible work options  
• More opportunities for career growth throughout our agency 
• Improved pay for patent professionals 
• Improved employee experience and connectedness in our community 

It also helps us measure how effectively we are meeting the goals set forth in the USPTO People Plan. 

Currently, our agency response rate is 43%. The 2024 response rate goal is 70%, and we need your help to get there. I know our business units are engaged in a friendly competition to see who can garner the highest response rate. As of Friday, June 21, the Office of Equal Employment Opportunity and Diversity has the lead at 66.7%, but things can always change. 

When our community thrives, the work we do every day to advance our mission is more effective. Thank you to those of you who have already taken the FEVS, and to the team that is working hard to administer the survey. Your voice truly matters to me, and to your business unit leadership. And as always, thank you all for your hard work bringing innovation to impact. 

Best, 

-Kathi