United States Patent and Trademark Office: USPTO Needs Strong Office of Human Resources Management Capable of Addressing Current and Future Challenges. Report No. BTD-16432-4-0001

摘要

The purpose of this audit was to determine whether USPTO adhered to federally mandated merit system principles in their attempts to hire an HR director. As part of our methodology, we also sought to identify systemic problems that, if corrected, would enable OHR to improve its operations. In pursuing our objectives, we reviewed appropriate laws and department organization orders affecting USPTO; we also reviewed laws, regulations, policies, and procedures regarding the civil service system, merit system principles, and government requirements for recruitment, hiring and promotion. In addition, we reviewed pertinent OPM guidance, and interviewed human resources specialists and managers from OPM, the Department, and USPTO. Our review, except where noted in this report, did not assess compliance with laws and regulations.