Equal opportunities but not for all. When individuals embark on a career within the European Commission, they hold legitimate expectations of progression and growth, regardless of their staff category. Whether one is a permanent official, a temporary employee, or a contract agent, the belief in opportunities for professional development is inherent. Continue reading Internal competitions – Progress for some, barrier for others
Operation Hiver – a contest for the coolest picture
*Update 06.12.2023: here are building closures and alternatives in Brussels, but we don’t (yet) see equivalent information for other places of work e.g. Grange or Luxembourg. Remember you have the right to work from the office 100% if you so wish (and you are prepared for the temperatures there).*
Original article: Winter is coming. The official rhetoric is that the EU is committed to ambitious environmental goals Continue reading Operation Hiver – a contest for the coolest picture
Brownie points, shattered dreams & utility-bill miracles
The directors-general from DG HR, DG Interpretation (SCIC) and DG Digital Services (DIGIT), together with the the Director of the Office for Infrastructure and Logistics in Brussels (OIB) and the one for Luxembourg (OIL) met with staff in a hybrid Town Hall meeting 20.11.2023. The occasion was the publishing of the evaluation of the eighteen months since the implementation of the Working Time and Hybrid Working Decision (WTHW). The answers given to staff questions there echo still in our ears. Continue reading Brownie points, shattered dreams & utility-bill miracles
Internal competitions – but for whom?
Very close to the end of the year, the Commission has kept up with its stated planning in its 2022-2024 cycle of internal competitions and published a number of internal competitions. Great, right? What is there to complain about? Why are we bringing this to your attention? We encourage you have a look at the very specific eligibility criteria and to consider that this is not the first time that this has happened. We’ve queried the service reasons for this and the equality of treatment on show. Continue reading Internal competitions – but for whom?
Training offer for certification & internal competitions
Generation 2004, in collaboration with Yasemos Europeos, is offering online trainings and webinars to assist you in preparing for the Certification exercise and internal competitions.
There is a special price for all participants to the certification training. The talent screener webinar is free for all staff. Continue reading Training offer for certification & internal competitions
Is e-voting the right tool for the JRC?
Digitalisation is everywhere: we pay electronically, we get our news and movies digitally and we even meet online. While some types of human interaction would, ideally, never be replaced, many routine administrative activities can certainly benefit from going digital. Nevertheless, it’s important to include those who will use new systems and procedures in the decision-making process: while we might save on queuing with e-Voting, are we maybe missing out somewhere else? Continue reading Is e-voting the right tool for the JRC?
Reimbursed amount = 0 €
This can and does happen relatively frequently. First of all, don’t panic! But please do be aware that there is a 3-month time limit[1] on taking a non-reimbursement issue as far as you can before embarking on legal action. Challenging a decision not to reimburse is therefore not an administrative step to save for when you have the time, you really do have to make the time (especially if you need to get a more detailed bill from the health-service provider, for example or investigate whether a precedent has been set for reimbursement). Continue reading Reimbursed amount = 0 €
Cancer detection: no longer a priority?
Generation 2004 has heard from several of you concerning your difficulties in navigating the new systems to have screening tests reimbursed at 100%, now that the medical service is no longer providing the so-called ‘bon rose’. That way of authorising specific tests outside the Medical Service was withdrawn in February 2023[1]. Continue reading Cancer detection: no longer a priority?
End-of-year checklist 2023
*Update 06.12.2023: here are building closures and alternatives in Brussels, but we don’t (yet) see equivalent information for other places of work e.g. Grange or Luxembourg. Remember you have the right to work from the office 100% if you so wish (and you are prepared for the temperatures there).* Continue reading End-of-year checklist 2023
2024 appraisal and promotion/reclassification exercises conference
We publish this early enough for you to make a start on listing your achievements, training and highlights throughout 2023 to avoid you having to hit the ground running in January. This conference explains the evaluation process and offers tips. Join us Tuesday, 9 January 2024, 12:00-13:30. We cover how to prepare your self-assessment and your one-on-one interview with your line manager (‘reporting officer’) [1] this is applicable both to the promotion (officials) and reclassification (contract agents, except 3b)[2]. Continue reading 2024 appraisal and promotion/reclassification exercises conference
