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IRC: #techbytes @ FreeNode: Saturday, November 28, 2020

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schestowitz"Nov 28 06:13
schestowitz Target setting approach in DG1 for 2020Nov 28 06:13
schestowitzBottom up?Nov 28 06:13
schestowitzOn 3 December 2019 VP1 published the DG1 operational plan for 2020 containing the criteria to be applied for setting production targets for next year in DG1.Nov 28 06:13
schestowitz Nov 28 06:13
schestowitzMr Rowan calls the so-called “bottom-up planning” an important part of the process, implicitly acknowledging that targets imposed upon staff were sometimes too ambitious in the past.Nov 28 06:13
schestowitzStaff Representatives in the Working Group on Performance Management (WGPM) repeatedly asked for a proper bottom-up approach to planning.Nov 28 06:13
schestowitz Nov 28 06:13
schestowitzIn this paper, we consider that VP1’s apparent good intentions came to nothing - neither in the planning nor in the legal framework of the Office, such as in Circular No. 366. The promise of improvements in respect of the target-setting exercise turned out to be mere lip service - more a manipulation exercise than a genuine interest in taking staff feedback into account.Nov 28 06:13
schestowitz Nov 28 06:13
schestowitzWe fear the further devastating effects that this 2020 target, in combination with the New Career System, will have on staff engagement, motivation and health, building on the damage already done since 2015 when the New Career System was implemented.Nov 28 06:13
schestowitz Nov 28 06:13
schestowitzWe also fear the impact that the process will have on the work of the shrinking population of Formalities Officers.Nov 28 06:13
schestowitz Nov 28 06:13
schestowitzAuthor: The Central Staff CommitteeNov 28 06:13
schestowitz"Nov 28 06:13
schestowitz"Nov 28 06:14
schestowitzExaminer Recruitment: Not fit for purposeNov 28 06:14
schestowitzOne of the most important human resources functions in any organisation is the process of recruiting and selecting the right staff. For the EPO the definition of “right” is crucial, as the bulk of our recruitment is focused on Patent Examiners needing highly specialized technical and language skills.Nov 28 06:14
schestowitz Nov 28 06:14
schestowitzIn this paper, we consider that the recruitment process at the EPO today, especially for examiner posts, is not fit for the purpose of carrying out this task.Nov 28 06:14
schestowitz Nov 28 06:14
schestowitzThe EPO wants to recruit examiners with technically-suited profiles, who are able to work in our official languages – yet at the same time reduces exactly the evaluation of those components to below the bare minimum.Nov 28 06:14
schestowitz Nov 28 06:14
schestowitzOn top, potential candidates are kept far away from their actual future working environment and colleagues, and cannot evaluate us as a future employer – and so they can only rely on what they find online, a picture that has become severely tainted in the last few years.Nov 28 06:14
schestowitz Nov 28 06:14
schestowitzNo wonder the number of candidates for examiner posts is dwindling, now less than one third of what we had just 3 years ago.Nov 28 06:14
schestowitz Nov 28 06:14
schestowitzNo wonder we see a lot of candidates drop out somewhere along the recruitment process – something which virtually did not exist a few years ago.Nov 28 06:14
schestowitz Nov 28 06:14
schestowitzNo wonder we see one in three, sometimes more, examiner job offers being refused, the 5-year contract prominently featuring as the main reason why.Nov 28 06:14
schestowitz Nov 28 06:14
schestowitzNo wonder we are mainly limited to recruiting young, fresh from university or PhD, and local to the places of employment.Nov 28 06:14
schestowitz Nov 28 06:15
schestowitzTo repeat, the recruitment process for examiners we have today is not fit for purpose – and the offer we make to the candidates is subpar, to put it mildly.Nov 28 06:15
schestowitz Nov 28 06:15
schestowitzThe EPO is an organization in a severe crisis, due to the destructive actions of the Battistelli Administration, and the inertia of the current one in mending what was broken. The dismal state of the recruitment process is yet another indicator pointing, like all indicators, in this very same direction.Nov 28 06:15
schestowitz"Nov 28 06:15
schestowitz"Nov 28 06:15
schestowitzFinancial Study and 17 measures: Report on the 3rd meeting of the WG FinancesNov 28 06:15
schestowitzThe third meeting of the Working Group took place on 3 December. The discussion focussed entirely on the salary adjustment procedure. None of the other measures we had suggested in advance of the meeting were discussed due to lack of time.Nov 28 06:16
schestowitz Nov 28 06:16
schestowitzThe specific indicator (SI) represents the average evolution of the salaries of the national civil servants in the member states above or below their own inflation, thus the evolution of the purchasing power. There is a certain correlation between the SI and the GDP growth. This is intuitive since the member states are not likely to increase the salaries of their civil servants during an economic downturn for affordability and politicalNov 28 06:16
schestowitzreasons. The drastic Base-2 scenario however uses the past evolvement of the average salary increases in its model. It therefore vastly overstates the salary evolution and thus the expenditure.Nov 28 06:16
schestowitz Nov 28 06:16
schestowitzThe IFRS accounts, merely on legal grounds, cannot recognise the income from the future national renewal fees as an asset to match the “coverage gap”. By the end of 2018, the value of these future national renewal fees was €4.7bn. IFRS therefore vastly understates the income.Nov 28 06:16
schestowitz Nov 28 06:16
schestowitzManagement referred to the concept of reversibility. Should the stress scenario, for which money is supposed to be withheld, never actually materialise it is not the intention of management to give the money back to staff. Consequently, we are clearly against a reversibility concept in which reversal is not foreseen as an automatically applied integral part of the procedure, especially in view of the lack of trust prevailing.Nov 28 06:16
schestowitz Nov 28 06:16
schestowitzThe salary adjustment procedure was also discussed with the President, right after the above meeting. It was the common view that there is no financial problem for the time being. The President put forward that there would be some logic in adjusting salaries with inflation if fees are adjusted with inflation. He confirmed that he would consult the Administrative Council on the financial “gap” next week. He also confirmed that theNov 28 06:16
schestowitzintended time framework for discussions within this working group would be until February 2020 and that consultation of other stakeholders in other fora would follow, including the GCC and the BFC for a decision in the June 2020 Council.Nov 28 06:16
schestowitz Nov 28 06:16
schestowitzThe WG will reconvene on 12 December, directly after the Council meeting.Nov 28 06:16
schestowitz Nov 28 06:16
schestowitzThe full report on the third meeting, including our proposals, can be found here.Nov 28 06:16
schestowitz"Nov 28 06:16
schestowitz"The Association of EPO Pensioners has continued to analyse to Financial study. The findings of the Association have been issued as a new letter for the Administrative Council, since the Association's request to be allowed as an observer at the meeting when the study is discussed has been refused."Nov 28 06:16
schestowitz"Nov 28 06:17
schestowitzOn Friday 8 November, SUEPO issued a call for strike according to the circular on strikes (C347), in order to be able to actually launch a strike, if and when needed, after a positive strike ballot (SUEPO will of course turn in due time to its members, who will eventually decide).Nov 28 06:17
schestowitzThe only way to have the opportunity to launch a strike action without being overtaken by events is to have a valid and positive strike vote result at hand.Nov 28 06:18
schestowitzWe remind you that, according to C347, a quorum of 40% of staff is required for the vote on a call for strike to be considered valid. If you cannot vote on 28 November (before 17:00), please make sure that you give a proxy to a colleague who can. To do so, send an email to ballot@epo.org before 26 November 17:00 hours, giving the name of the employee who is to vote on your behalf.Nov 28 06:18
schestowitzDo you want to make a strike possible after 28 November?Nov 28 06:18
schestowitzTake part in the ballot AND vote in favour of the strike.Nov 28 06:18
schestowitz"Nov 28 06:18
*Now talking on #techbytesNov 28 07:02
*Topic for #techbytes is: Welcome to the official channel of the TechBytes AudiocastNov 28 07:02
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schestowitzhttps://twitter.com/petersuber/status/1332762101606199306Nov 28 20:40
-TechBytesBot/#techbytes-@petersuber: @schestowitz @EPA Sorry for the dead link to the @OATP tag library on @EPA openwashing. Here's the live one. https://t.co/j35cBUTTskNov 28 20:40
-TechBytesBot/#techbytes--> tagteam.harvard.edu | TagTeam :: Search - Open Access Tracking Project (OATP)Nov 28 20:40
schestowitzhttps://twitter.com/jimmyroybloom/status/1332744161544589313Nov 28 20:40
-TechBytesBot/#techbytes-@jimmyroybloom: . https://t.co/WBesUZFXBkNov 28 20:40
schestowitzhttps://twitter.com/trolltrip/status/1332667435728707585Nov 28 20:41
-TechBytesBot/#techbytes-@trolltrip: @schestowitz 'via' Wikipedia.Nov 28 20:41
schestowitzhttps://twitter.com/darby_bartley/status/1332635285843308544Nov 28 20:41
-TechBytesBot/#techbytes-@darby_bartley: What? https://t.co/cU6Z1ST8ATNov 28 20:41
-TechBytesBot/#techbytes-@schestowitz: ● NEWS ● #TechDirt #Obama2 #drone #assassination #GoldenDawnald ☞ Government Argues In Court That It Can Kill US Ci… https://t.co/5oeA5KOm1PNov 28 20:41
schestowitzhttps://twitter.com/Nani194347/status/1332623158998863872Nov 28 20:41
-TechBytesBot/#techbytes-@Nani194347: So who be the leader of this global nation?? The UN headed by leaders that cant even lead their own country?? Who e… https://t.co/HwTJQlNLPmNov 28 20:41
-TechBytesBot/#techbytes-@Nani194347: So who be the leader of this global nation?? The UN headed by leaders that cant even lead their own country?? Who e… https://t.co/HwTJQlNLPmNov 28 20:41
schestowitz"So who be the leader of this global nation?? The UN headed by leaders that cant even lead their own country?? Who exactly will be that leader? China, Russia or the Ayatollah"Nov 28 20:41
schestowitzhttps://twitter.com/RadRegime/status/1332594103746318336Nov 28 20:42
-TechBytesBot/#techbytes-@RadRegime: @schestowitz Emmy award Governor Cuomo had a huge hand in that scenario.Nov 28 20:42
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schestowitzhttps://pleroma.site/notice/A1fc7R5Qlboqc74hW4Nov 28 22:15
schestowitz"Nov 28 22:15
-TechBytesBot/#techbytes-qoto.org | Paul Sutton: "@schestowitz@pleroma.site Looks interesting, I t…" - Qoto MastodonNov 28 22:16
schestowitzLooks interesting,Nov 28 22:16
schestowitzI thought it said Snail at first, the only Snail OS is Win10 booting up sometimes.Nov 28 22:16
schestowitz"Nov 28 22:16
schestowitzhttps://pleroma.site/notice/A1emQzrsTmlmN7k2t6Nov 28 22:16
schestowitz" 1st century?"Nov 28 22:16
-TechBytesBot/#techbytes-todon.eu | jd in .hu: "@schestowitz@pleroma.site 1st century?" - Todon.euNov 28 22:16
schestowitzoops. typo.Nov 28 22:16
schestowitzhttps://pleroma.site/notice/A1eao9vU3CRwmFhrhgNov 28 22:17
schestowitz"I supose it is *cloud* but *clown* is a great joke"Nov 28 22:17
-TechBytesBot/#techbytes-fosstodon.org | Miguel: "@schestowitz@pleroma.site I supose it is *cloud…" - FosstodonNov 28 22:17
schestowitzhttps://pleroma.site/notice/A1dW1hOYEQhnPlynMuNov 28 22:18
schestowitz"Nov 28 22:18
-TechBytesBot/#techbytes-mstdn.social | `Da Elf: "@schestowitz@pleroma.site Ah, DAVx5 is the new Sy…" - Mastodon 🐘Nov 28 22:18
schestowitzAh, DAVx5 is the new Syncy thing. I liked it's previous incarnation for the most part. Might give it a try again in a few.Nov 28 22:18
schestowitzI've been using OpenSync for the last two years and like it pretty well.Nov 28 22:18
schestowitz"Nov 28 22:18
schestowitzhttps://pleroma.site/notice/A1dU8cA1tIv1IeMCQqNov 28 22:18
schestowitz" I applied for a job there, never heard back"Nov 28 22:18
-TechBytesBot/#techbytes-chitter.xyz | Markus: "@schestowitz@pleroma.site I applied for a job the…" - ChitterNov 28 22:18
schestowitzhttps://pleroma.site/notice/A1dSvnFdFJzHyeIfbsNov 28 22:19
schestowitz"That is pretty cool :)"Nov 28 22:19
-TechBytesBot/#techbytes-qoto.org | Paul Sutton: "@schestowitz@pleroma.site That is pretty cool :)" - Qoto MastodonNov 28 22:19
schestowitzhttps://pleroma.site/notice/A1dF6WNKvnkxSu7ouWNov 28 22:19
schestowitz" I installed it for my father and it really amazed me for its simplicity and stability."Nov 28 22:19
-TechBytesBot/#techbytes-mastodon.uno | notanamber: "@schestowitz@pleroma.site I installed it for my f…" - Mastodon Italia SocialNov 28 22:19
schestowitzhttps://pleroma.site/notice/A1d5d3zEVBA1QwjHhQNov 28 22:19
schestowitz" that's alright i guess...but it'd be better if it were using electricity rather than gas"Nov 28 22:19
-TechBytesBot/#techbytes-shitposter.club | PleromaNov 28 22:19
schestowitzhttps://pleroma.site/notice/A1czMVYi8W5aId2wpUNov 28 22:20
schestowitz"Nov 28 22:20
-TechBytesBot/#techbytes-miniwa.moe | PleromaNov 28 22:20
schestowitz    wheelchairNov 28 22:20
schestowitz    “come upstairs”Nov 28 22:20
schestowitzDoes not compute 🤖Nov 28 22:20
schestowitz"Nov 28 22:20
schestowitzhttps://pleroma.site/notice/A1cz8vMtNgKkI92cVcNov 28 22:20
schestowitz"Fortunately, my RSS feeds right now are just a bunch of Mastodon user's blogs, some Youtube channels, and 2 webcomics :D"Nov 28 22:20
-TechBytesBot/#techbytes-social.linux.pizza | d e t o n D e v: "@schestowitz@pleroma.site Fortunately, my RSS fee…" - Linux.PizzaNov 28 22:20
schestowitzhttps://pleroma.site/notice/A1cIzXut0a8QsOms5oNov 28 22:20
schestowitz"Nov 28 22:20
-TechBytesBot/#techbytes-mas.to | adnan360: "@schestowitz@pleroma.site Already moved some of m…" - mas.toNov 28 22:20
schestowitzAlready moved some of my repos to #gitlab. They have a handy import feature which makes it easy. Takes just one click.Nov 28 22:20
schestowitzI limited GH use to when I absolutely have to. e.g. posting an issue, pushing PR. I'd love if #freesw projects moved away from GH so that I can completely stop using it.Nov 28 22:20
schestowitz"Nov 28 22:21
schestowitzhttps://pleroma.site/notice/A1cBIoeGDzaGdcgk8eNov 28 22:22
schestowitz"Nov 28 22:22
-TechBytesBot/#techbytes-mastodon.uno | notanamber: "@schestowitz@pleroma.site I hope they put this ga…" - Mastodon Italia SocialNov 28 22:22
schestowitzI hope they put this garbage illegal. In my opinion from a constitutional point of view it is.Nov 28 22:23
schestowitzFrom the point of view of identifying them to boycott anywayNov 28 22:23
schestowitz"Nov 28 22:23
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