Suicide

Märpel learned that a staff member committed suicide in The Hague earlier this week. That person worked in formalities.
Everybody knows that examiners are under high pressure, but people always forget about formalities, while they are under even greater pressure:
-they are downstream from the examiners and got the same increase in files
-their number decreased as old, experienced staff is not replaced when leaving: the EPO believes software will do their job automatically
-far from being automatic, the software often makes their job more complex as workarounds are needed when the data entered automatically is wrong
-the ergonomy of their tools is badly lacking
-they experienced a brutal reorganisation lately with drastically increased requirements on their job.

Management simply wants to get rid of formalities, expecting computers to replace them, while we have several incompatible procedures (EPC, PCT...) and any mistake bears legal consequences. It is a disaster in the making.

Travels cancelled

Märpel learned that President Campinos cancelled all travels yesterday, even travels already booked with applicants waiting at the other end. People were called back yesterday morning on their way to the airport.

The reasons behind that decision are not entirely clear. What is entirely clear, however, is that cancelling appointments at such short notice screams of lack of professionalism. When travels are arranged, the other end normally has invested time and efforts in arranging a meeting. Expenses need to be charged, authorizations need to be organized. Not coming at the latest moment is simply not done.

But President Campinos apparently does not care about manners. Reportedly, he had a fit about the budget and required everything to be re-authorized by him personally.

It appears that the Office managed to elect ANOTHER President capable of throwing a tantrum for the smalest of reasons.