Real Estate and Workplace Problems at the European Patent Office, Which Grants Fake Patents Under the Guise of "Law"
Report on the 54th meeting of the Munich LOHSEC of 20 June 2024
As noted in yesterday's meme and bearing in mind that the EPO nowadays operates against the law (see for example, "2024 General Assembly of the EPO's Local Staff Committee Munich, Haar and Brussels (LSCMN) Presents Damning Evidence of the EPO Granting Illegal Patents, Then Conflating This Illegality With "Quality" (Speed)"), let's examine a recent meeting with Benoît Battistelli's friends and their family members (e.g. Elodie Bergot and Roberta Romano-Götsch). António Campinos was absent (obviously too busy consuming alcohol or other drugs, which are stored in abundance at the EPO's top floor), so what we have to go with is his network of extensive nepotism, which actively backs if not participates in corruption at the EPO (Roberta Romano-Götsch for instance). It's never-ending coverups. It's a heist.
Here's a report issued by the Local Staff Committee Munich (LSCMN) some days ago, based on the meeting that actually happened early in summer. It was announced to staff with this message:
Our report: Building Investment Programme, occupancy rates and canteensDear Colleagues,
On 20 June 2024, staff representation met with the administration in the Local Occupational Health, Safety and Ergonomics Committee (LOHSEC) in Munich.
Among the topics addressed were the future of our buildings as announced in the Strategic Plan 2028 (CA/13/24) (page 78):
“PschorrHöfe PH 1-4 will remain in use as an interim solution largely for DG 1 staff until the end of 2026. After the renovation of PschorrHöfe PH 5-6 is complete, staff will be relocated to PH 5-6 and to PH 8; while PH 1-4 will be emptied. In view of its prime location and the local real-estate market situation, the Office is currently investigating the potential use of PH 1-4 after staff have been relocated. We will report to the Administrative Council on potential scenarios and request its decision in due course.” (emphasis added)
The Building Investment Programme (CA/53/24 Add. 1) gives more details: "By 2028, around 2.800 workplaces will be needed in Munich, compared to the current supply of 4.310."
The future of the canteen, the occupancy rates as well ergonomy issues were also addressed.
Read more in our report.
Here's the report - dated 5 days ago - as HTML, GemText, or plain text (depending on what protocol you read this article on):
Örtlicher Personalausschuss München Innenstadt, Haar und Brüssel
Local Staff Committee Munich City, Haar and Brussels
Le Comité local du Personnel de Munich Ville, Haar et Bruxelles
Munich, 04-11-2024
sc24022mpReport on the 54th Meeting of the Local Occupational Health, Safety and Ergonomics Committee (LOHSEC) on 20 June 2024
On 20 June 2024 the meeting took place with Staff Representatives of the LSC Munich (LSC MN), members of the Administration, health, safety and facility services, as well as a representative for the Boards of Appeal.
Present were Elodie Bergot (Chair; PD Welfare and Renumeration, EB), Roberta Romano-Götsch (Chief Sustainability Officer, RRG), Martina Moritz (Medical Advisor, MM), Jürgen Janda (Member of the Infrastructure Services, JJ), Johannes de Bruin (Occupational Safety expert, JdB), Alexander Kirch (Occupational Safety, AK), Katja Warneck (Representative for BoA, KW), Susett Rolle (SR; Member of LSC MN, SRo), Matthias Goebel (SR; Member of LSC MN, MG), Alyssa Drouault (Member of HR, AD).
The meeting lasted from 10:30 to 11:40 h.
1 Report from the COHSEC
The Chair gave a short oral report on the COHSEC meeting of 15 May 2024. She presented the three agenda points discussed during the COHSEC, as found on the Intranet:
▪ Sick leave statistics
The Office continues to closely monitor sick leave figures to identify trends early on and adjust its health and well-being offering accordingly. The sick leave statistics for the period April 2023-March 2024 show a decrease of 5.8% in total absence days per employee, compared to the previous 12-month period. This is largely due to a decrease in short-term sick leave. While the sick leave figures are still above pre-pandemic levels, they seem to follow the trend in our host states.▪ Health, Safety & Well-being (key facts 2023)
The 2023 Health, Safety & Well-being report was presented to the COHSEC for information. This annual report provides a detailed overview of activities carried out by the Occupational Health and Safety teams directly supporting staff and managers. Overall, staff health, safety and well-being have shown positive developments. During 2023 there was an increase of preventive measures, such as health and safety campaigns, enhanced ergonomics support and workplace visits, which have been well-received. Finally, after a successful initial 3-year period of ISO certification, the Office has undergone a new audit to secure a re-certification according to the ISO45001 standard.▪ New Ways of Working update on health-related topics
An update on the occupational health and safety related aspects of the New Ways of Working (NWoW) pilot was presented to the COHSEC for information: “The Office has implemented multiple measures to ensure staff health and well-being under the pilot, with encouraging results: during the pilot, only one occupational accident occurred while teleworking; and, in line with the findings of the staff survey, staff well-being has increased.
Looking to the future, the Office will continue to take all measures necessary to support staff in the hybrid working environment.”
2 Points raised by the Staff Representation members of the LOHSEC
2.1 As to the status of action points M 05/2023, AP 01/2023:
The following answer as to the status of said action points was provided by the administration and further explained:
M 05/2023 The SR had mentioned that the figures published in the Intranet have not been updated and were therefore not reflecting the most recent trends. Even if the topic has been already discussed, the administration will verify the consistency between the announcement in the Intranet and the CA/16/24 (NEW AP 02/2024: “Check publication of occupancy rates with CA/16/24, [add a] few explanations on the figures, how they have been calculated”). Upon checking, it appeared that the figures mentioned in the AC document were about flexibility which reflects the preference of our staff: whether they work on site or telework on a day they work. This is not the same variable as occupancy in our buildings.
N.B. The document CA/16/24 contains one sole reference to an average staff on-site occupancy of 49 % (cf. slide 6 of the NWoW evaluation report). A time period is not given. The pilot phase has ended 30 June 24. The importance of transparent occupancy figures has been thoroughly explained in the last LOHSEC Report (see items 2.1 and 2.4).
AP 01/2024. The administration confirmed the fire safety concept of PH/Isar and the appropriate measures (Alarm -> mandatory evacuation of any place, e.g. crèches) put in place. In line with the information shared by local authorities, neither a specific plan with buses nor any extra safety concept is required. The administration invites SR to share any other information / exchange they would have (e.g. emails) in this regard.
N.B.: In an informal meeting subsequent to this LOHSEC, the matter was clarified to the extent that a bus is not foreseen anymore by mutual agreement of crèche and EPO contact points. On the side of the crèche, further possibilities for shelter in an evacuation situation are under investigation.
2.2 As to the future of the PH 1-4 canteen
The SR inquired once again about the future of the PH 1-4 canteen, i.e. what would happen to the PH 1-4 canteen now that the building will be emptied and possibly rented or sold?
SR referred to Strategic Plan 2028 (CA/13/24) and Building Investment Programme 2024-2028 (BIP) (page 78):
“PschorrHöfe PH 1-4 will remain in use as an interim solution largely for DG 1 staff until the end of 2026. After the renovation of PschorrHöfe PH 5-6 is complete, staff will be relocated to PH 5-6 and to PH 8; while PH 1-4 will be emptied. In view of its prime location and the local real-estate market situation, the Office is currently investigating the potential use of PH 1-4 after staff have been relocated. We will report to the Administrative Council on potential scenarios and request its decision in due course.” (emphasis added)It further stressed that staff needed to remain in the loop when such far-reaching plans were on the table. Thus, BT 5+6 apparently contained yet fewer individual offices and a can-teen was vital as meeting point, especially for staff engagement. On the other hand, being kept in limbo was not conducive to psychic health.
SR further desired to enrich the debate by some facts from the market, as well as from history. Regarding the market, it reminded the administration of the current desolate situation for commercial real estate in Munich, as portrayed e.g. in the Süddeutsche Zeitung:
“Seit 2019 stehen immer mehr Büros leer, wie Daten des Immobiliendienstleisters JLL zeigen. Zugleich wurden deutlich weniger Flächen neu vermietet. Und die Erlöse aus dem Verkauf von Büroimmobilien sind zwischen 2019 und 2023 je nach Stadt geradezu kollabiert: Zwischen 50 und mehr als 90 Prozent sanken die Umsätze – es kommen einfach kaum noch Deals zustande, weil sich Käufer und Verkäufer nicht mehr über den Preis einig werden.”.Regarding historic facts, the SR reminded the administration that the attempt to rent out half of PH 8 in 2018 resulted in many removals for many people but was a complete failure in the end.
The administration answered that the information on the PH 1-4 canteen had already been addressed during the last LSC meeting in Munich. The canteen remained available in PH 1-4 until the moves in 2027. A new contract had been signed with a 2-year duration, followed by three yearly renewal options (2 + 3 x 1).
With respect to the SR’s questions regarding the future of the PH 1-4 building, the administration explained that this was “the prime location” in Munich with no decision at all taken at the moment; staff was invited to read the document on the Building Investment Programme 2024-2028 (CA/53/24). In any case, a “catering service” (no further details) would always be provided in PH. With a view to the general plan for the future of PH 1-4, the Chair replied that the plan was written so as to fit every possible outcome.
N.B.: In the meantime, a PowerPoint presentation has been published (CA 53/24 Add. 1), shown within the discussion of the “stand alone” BIP (CA/53/24) in the Administrative Council meeting of June 27 – 28. The said presentation mentions the handover of renovated PH 5-6 with “daylight concept” (i.e. glass walls) as planned for 2027, pending approval of the construction packages by the Budget and Finance Committee (BFC) in May 2025 and start of construction/renovation thereafter. Canteens are not mentioned therein, neither in the parent CA/53/24. Remarkably, both CA/53/24 (§ 31 on page 15) and its presentation addendum (cf. slide 9) cautiously point out that renting 68 000 m2 in prime location will be difficult, since most commercial tenants would be looking for 2000 - 3000 m2 locations. These notes of caution were apparently reiterated by VP4 in the AC plenum. Nonetheless, the BIP was approved.
2.3 As to rolling occupancy rates
The SR inquired again whether it would it be possible to revert to showing the rolling occupancy rates of the EPO sites. It would be interesting to see any recent trends vs the last available figures back in October 2022 (see also AP M 05/2023 above). SR noted that the figures presented were the exact same as in the summer of 2023, in fact the whole graphic was the exact same, like a decoration of sorts.
Cf. https://intranet.epo.org/the-office/new-ways-working/bringing-our-teams-together
While SR appreciated some of the explanations previously given, it wondered why the corresponding values could not be placed in the Intranet graphic instead, e.g. the 50% average occupancy value as presented to the Administrative Council? Or the 40-60% spread? Why this deflation of occupancy values?
In its answer, the administration promised to check the similarity of the announcement in the Intranet with said CA/16/24, reiterating the findings under action points M 05/2023 and (new) AP 02/2024 presented above. Amendment or deletion of the graphic was contemplated.
N.B.: The said Intranet graphic is still found in the same place in October 2024. It is thus outdated by over one year now.
2.4 As to construction noises in PH 1-4
The SR brought forward complaints from colleagues concerning construction noises in PH 1-4, contrary to the assertions in the last LOHSEC Report (13 March 2024; see item 5 therein). The noise concerned especially the 2nd floor. SR inquired as to extent and duration of construction at PH 1-4.
The administration answered that an underground garage project was concerned, to end on 30 June. In other affected areas, the construction work will be continuing until August 2024. An announcement would be communicated in the Intranet in July 2024. In any case, the possibility given by the NWoW to book an office for a day in another area not affected by any noise was pointed out.
SR proposed to share future actions with team managers in PH 1-4 well in advance so that they could inform their staff accordingly of the possibility to book an office in another area. The Administration agreed on this point for any future actions.
N.B. No further complaints have reached us so far.
2.5 As to building renovations PH 7 and PH 5-6
The SR inquired whether the building renovations of PH 7 and PH 5-6 progressed as planned. So far, nothing could be seen from outside these buildings nor read anywhere. Again, staff needed to be kept in the loop. Including the colleagues from the Boards of Appeal (BoA).
The administration replied that the BIP (CA/53/24) followed the BFC/AC approval workflow. Once the AC confirmed the recommendations of the BFC as to the construction package, the Administration would inform the staff (including BoA colleagues) in the Intranet accordingly. The PH1-4 to PH 5-6 moves would be expected in 2027.
N.B.: the timeline may be best viewed in CA/53/24 Add. 1 (above). As explained by Infrastructure Services, the general permission had just been given at the previous AC and BFC meetings, now the said Add. 1 clarifies that the planning package (in June 2024) and further the construction package (in May 2025) still needs to be approved by the BFC and finally the AC. vs. its previous version in the annex to the SP2028, BIP (CA/53/24) now speaks of 2027 for the planned move into PH 5-6(and PH-8?), cf. §29 on page 15. Incidentally, we appear to downsize from presently 1.200 occupied workplaces in PH 1-4 to 710 in BT 5-6 (number stays the same, see page 3, Fig 1); we wonder how the administration will attempt to implement the promised allocated workplace in return for a 3x/week presence under these circumstances.
2.6 As to eye problems, RSI or upper limb disorders
The SR inquired as to which measures were foreseen for colleagues with eye problems or other conditions, such as RSI or upper limb disorders, aggravated by digitalization now nearing 100 %? Reference was made in particular to the sudden stop of on-demand paper files. It was said in the last LOHSEC meeting (13.03.2024) that they should get in contact with Occupational Health (OH) to make their condition(s) known. In view of possibly higher than anticipated case numbers involved, could a minform-type portal on MyFIPS/medical certificates be a solution in this respect? In this way the relative case numbers could be quickly established and possible steps to provide paper file service at least to such colleagues undertaken, being typically older, very experienced ones. As pointed out in the pertinent open letter of the CSC, complete discontinuation of file wrappers and official stickers places affected colleagues without an allocated office in a very difficult position and likely led to multiple printing being needed, due to lack of storage capacity. At the moment, the EPO still appeared to have all facilities for dossier printing in place.
The administration answered that this question should be addressed in the COHSEC. Nevertheless, no issue had been reported by OH regarding eye problems due to the decrease of paper files. Regarding printing, the trend was to go to full digitalisation with some exceptions. While the possibility to print documents still existed, the Office tried to engage the staff and to support them towards a full digitisation. On the point regarding RSI or upper limb disorders due to the ergonomics of the workplace, the administration reminded that booking an office for the day ahead of time for a cumulated number of days was possible and allowed staff to set-up the workplace according to his/her needs.
Moreover, prevention could be ensured with:
- Fitness facilities proposed at the EPO premises,
- Support by Occupational Health including an appointment with an ergonomist (2x per month).
SR were therefore invited to make colleagues aware of these offers.
N.B.: It is striking that no comment was received as to the proposed data generation via voluntary participation in MyFIPS. The mitigation of RSI or upper limb disorders as suggested by the administration fails for the simple reason that, as we said, the digitalization per se was the problem for some colleagues (in particular mouse/keyboard work), not where that work was performed. Paper is heinous, so it seems, and under all circumstances is central printing of dossiers to be avoided. “We are on a process” (RRG) was the catch-all answer. While, as correctly pointed out by the CSO, people could indeed print application and other documents them-selves, the allegation that file wrappers were available in the recycle shop is simply not true as highlighted by SR. This thinking is reminiscent of the administration’s reply in July 2024 to our said open letter of 18 April 2024 that “powerful local printers have been made available to allow fast and efficient printing when needed. Appropriate support for individual cases can also be provided by team managers and directors.” No examples neither of how people with offices for a day could handle/store such self-printed files nor what such “appropriate support” could look like were given. The CSO essentially admitted that the ultimate goal was to get rid of the paper file stores, upon our insisted argumentation that no more fresh paper input inherently would make the file store redundant after the last file therein was dead or beyond the time limit for Opposition. We point the interested reader to the open letter of the CSC “Discontinuation of the Central File Store”, still awaiting a reply from the administration since 26 July 2024. As to the situation in Berlin, without a file store of its own after moving from the present building, it has transpired in the meantime that the external Munich file store will be shared. We wonder about the sustainability of moving paper files back and forth between Munich and Berlin.
2.7 As to lighting problems in the ISAR building (2nd floor)
The SR inquired whether the lighting problems in the ISAR building were solved now, since e.g. on the 2nd floor insufficient lighting led to tripping incidents in the recent past?
The administration replied that an answer about lighting had been already given during the 52nd LOHSEC meeting. Regarding the 2nd floor, the problem had been solved. A last measurement had been done end of March by the controlling organisation DEKRA (with a successful result), the next check was planned in wintertime. The administration again drew attention to the option of submitting individual topics via a ticket.
2.8 As to the situation of the toilets – PH 1-4 + PH 8
The SR stated that the toilets in PH 1-4 were partly in desolate shape and inquired whether it would be possible to have some deep-cleaning done and/or uncleanable toilet bowls replaced? Other toilets, in particular in BT 8 do not appear to be ventilated enough, leading to long-lasting odorous conditions. Yet further, in PH 1-4 there is often mould stench in the toilets, hallways and/or offices. This condition could be related to dark, moist surroundings.
The administration explained that a deep cleaning occurred every 2 years, the next one planned in the week of 26 June for PH1-4. If needed, some ceramics in bad conditions would be replaced. There were regular tests (TÜV, DEKRA) in the ventilation system, every applicable norm on air exchange in restrooms was respected and monitored. No mould problems had been reported in PH 1-4. It was suggested again to open a ticket and not to wait for the LOHSEC meeting to address such issues, should staff encounter any problems in the buildings.
Your representatives of the Local Staff Committee Munich (LSCMN)
It's quite revealing, especially parts about further cuts on their way. █