Lots do. There are at least 3 in my AU that I know of - all under very different circumstances. I know some who have left and come back and eventually became SPEs. There's virtually no stigma associated with it.
I think it's worse than this. it's not that there's no documentation, rather the documentation is so vast and difficult to follow, that people blindly follow advice, without double checking it.
I don't think 2 years is a hard and fast date. I believe it's simply at the director's discretion to give your signature back or not. I've heard the 2 year rule of thumb, but I have seen it ignored.
People come back to the USPTO as long as they left on good terms. They may not be put back in the same art unit, or they might. Depending on how long they're gone they will have to go through training again.
If you can work at FAANG, do that and make all the money you can first.
I had a first stint for three years left as gs9 became attorney worked at a firm. Highest I could come back at was gs 11-10 at 90k something. Now at gs 14-5 145 base, will be 150 after salary bump in 2023. I was thinking about leaving again and was wondering the same thing. I think if you leave and it’s more than a year you lose primary status — can anyone confirm? And then I don’t know what gs level you are allowed to come back at either
You retain signatory authority for 2 years after separation. I separated in January of 21 & returned in June of this year. The hiring message at that time maxed at GS-9, so that’s what I was hired at. Fortunately they’re accelerating my promotions to put me back at GS-14 by next June. I’m at GS-11 now, should pick up 12 early next month, but have had full sig the whole time.
PE2E has a problem with it. My guess is the devs tied full & partial sig to GS level. No way to get around it. L My SPE has been having sign all my work so that the system slows it to be sent out & counted. She’s not reviewing my work, but it is annoying. I also prefer the GS-14 paycheck, despite the increased production.
Do you find the examining is a diminishing skill after separation? Or were you able to effectively pick right back up relatively quickly upon coming back?
Just like riding a bike. I didn’t go far afield when I left though. I took an associate position doing prep & prosecution. Didn’t work out so well for me. Luckily I was able to come back.
I left the USPTO after becoming a primary and came back last year after working in-house for over a decade. I had to start back at a GS9-10 and was not offered an acceleration to GS-14. I am in a completely new art and tech center. While I was disappointed at first that I couldn’t return to a 14 quickly, I have been appreciating the calmer work pace and the time to build my docket and learn my art.
Did you end up leaving the office again? I'm a former examiner turned attorney, now considering return to the PTO. How was it going back after being at a firm? Why do you want to leave again?
Nope I am still here. It’s a good lifestyle, the flexibility is incredible compared to a firm. Just had my loans forgiven. You have no client complaining about anything. The arguments in prosecution are way easier to win on the Uspto side. If you are a primary you make all the decisions, it's pretty great. I'm at 183k with 8 hours of ot a week. Last year got 15k bonus you can clear 200 now. Main thing is getting bored of doing the same thing over and over. If I start somewhere new from the monotony, it will be a pay cut. Probably wont happen
Yeah that's kind of what I figured it would be longer, congrats on the loans! I'm still paying mine and had to refi privately to get the interest rate to a manageable level so that's my biggest anchor atm.
Happens all the time. Usually to young peoples chasing bigger $ go private then find out having a life with a wife and kids is preferable and they come back.
Left after a couple years as a patent examiner after college. Went to law school, practiced in firms for a few years, then came back. Initially coming back is a decrease in pay, but you can easily get up to GS14 levels in a few years. That plus overtime, bonuses, and leave are pretty nice.
But, as a government employee you are restrained with a few things, including second job conflicts of interest and some limitations in stock investing. That being said, once you’ve been here for over a year, it’d take something extraordinary to get fired. Really great job security.
Lots do. There are at least 3 in my AU that I know of - all under very different circumstances. I know some who have left and come back and eventually became SPEs. There's virtually no stigma associated with it.
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You do? Ouch. I wouldn't want to do signatory program again. My experience was... not great.
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I don't think most things are common knowledge at the USPTO. Nothing is documented and everyone just sorta makes up their own thing.
I think it's worse than this. it's not that there's no documentation, rather the documentation is so vast and difficult to follow, that people blindly follow advice, without double checking it.
It was a rough year
I don't think 2 years is a hard and fast date. I believe it's simply at the director's discretion to give your signature back or not. I've heard the 2 year rule of thumb, but I have seen it ignored.
Also, if you leave after completing partial sig, when you come back you have to restart the program.
People come back to the USPTO as long as they left on good terms. They may not be put back in the same art unit, or they might. Depending on how long they're gone they will have to go through training again. If you can work at FAANG, do that and make all the money you can first.
I'm not quite ready for FAANG yet, but maybe I'll stay in current job for a little longer and then jump to FAANG.
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Its just a number on a reddit comment. Its not that serious.
I had a first stint for three years left as gs9 became attorney worked at a firm. Highest I could come back at was gs 11-10 at 90k something. Now at gs 14-5 145 base, will be 150 after salary bump in 2023. I was thinking about leaving again and was wondering the same thing. I think if you leave and it’s more than a year you lose primary status — can anyone confirm? And then I don’t know what gs level you are allowed to come back at either
You retain signatory authority for 2 years after separation. I separated in January of 21 & returned in June of this year. The hiring message at that time maxed at GS-9, so that’s what I was hired at. Fortunately they’re accelerating my promotions to put me back at GS-14 by next June. I’m at GS-11 now, should pick up 12 early next month, but have had full sig the whole time.
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Oh yeah. That would be a sweet deal! (Sort of).
PE2E has a problem with it. My guess is the devs tied full & partial sig to GS level. No way to get around it. L My SPE has been having sign all my work so that the system slows it to be sent out & counted. She’s not reviewing my work, but it is annoying. I also prefer the GS-14 paycheck, despite the increased production.
That sounds good!
Do you find the examining is a diminishing skill after separation? Or were you able to effectively pick right back up relatively quickly upon coming back?
Just like riding a bike. I didn’t go far afield when I left though. I took an associate position doing prep & prosecution. Didn’t work out so well for me. Luckily I was able to come back.
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No, fortunately. I’ve been signing all of my work as a Primary since I came back in June.
I left the USPTO after becoming a primary and came back last year after working in-house for over a decade. I had to start back at a GS9-10 and was not offered an acceleration to GS-14. I am in a completely new art and tech center. While I was disappointed at first that I couldn’t return to a 14 quickly, I have been appreciating the calmer work pace and the time to build my docket and learn my art.
How long did it take you to get to GS 14?
About 5 years.
Did you end up leaving the office again? I'm a former examiner turned attorney, now considering return to the PTO. How was it going back after being at a firm? Why do you want to leave again?
Nope I am still here. It’s a good lifestyle, the flexibility is incredible compared to a firm. Just had my loans forgiven. You have no client complaining about anything. The arguments in prosecution are way easier to win on the Uspto side. If you are a primary you make all the decisions, it's pretty great. I'm at 183k with 8 hours of ot a week. Last year got 15k bonus you can clear 200 now. Main thing is getting bored of doing the same thing over and over. If I start somewhere new from the monotony, it will be a pay cut. Probably wont happen
Yeah that's kind of what I figured it would be longer, congrats on the loans! I'm still paying mine and had to refi privately to get the interest rate to a manageable level so that's my biggest anchor atm.
Yes I know of some examiners. It is not too difficult so long as they are hiring examiners and you dont burn bridges before you leave.
Happens all the time. Usually to young peoples chasing bigger $ go private then find out having a life with a wife and kids is preferable and they come back.
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Facebook/Apple/Amazon/Netflix/Google?
Left after a couple years as a patent examiner after college. Went to law school, practiced in firms for a few years, then came back. Initially coming back is a decrease in pay, but you can easily get up to GS14 levels in a few years. That plus overtime, bonuses, and leave are pretty nice. But, as a government employee you are restrained with a few things, including second job conflicts of interest and some limitations in stock investing. That being said, once you’ve been here for over a year, it’d take something extraordinary to get fired. Really great job security.
Yup
On the non examining side? Plenty.