Affirmative Employment Programs
The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) is an equal opportunity employer, meaning it provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. Additionally, the USPTO provides equal pay for equivalent work regardless of gender.
USPTO Office of Equal Employment Opportunity
The Office of Equal Employment Opportunity (OEEO) manages programs and initiatives that promote equal opportunity and that identify and eliminate discriminatory practices and policies by:
- Providing continuous training to managers and executives;
- Monitoring adherence to laws, regulations and procedures, and preparing statistics on agency performance in these areas;
- Developing and/or enhancing policies, programs and initiatives to address workforce challenges;
- Conducting recruitment and outreach activities in order to expand the agency's workforce experience and talent pool;
- Promoting cultural learning and understanding through annual events such as Community Day, the International Food Sample Festival, Lunar New Year, Diwali, and more.
Compliance with federal legislation and presidential executive orders
In compliance with federal laws and Presidential Executive Orders, the USPTO's OEEO director oversees the following SEPs to ensure equal employment opportunity in the areas of hiring, retention, and career development:
- Federal Women's Program
- Hispanic Employment Program
- Individuals/Veterans With Disabilities Program