*Update 27.01.2023, we assisted 274 colleagues with their evaluation text. The link to register is no longer functional*
We found one more reason not to use the new option [1] of transferring the report from the previous year: ad hoc input from panels and committees might need to be updated and the transfer does not allow for any modifications.
Also, here is the guidance [2] that used to be available within sysper for the first 3 sections of the appraisal (please use Firefox or Edge). *
*Update 10.01.2023, thanks to the 967 colleagues who attended this event, here is the presentation [3] (please use Firefox or Edge) and the video recording of the conference [4].
We can confirm that the European External Action Service (EEAS) will also update its appraisal [5].
We are checking with HR whether Temporary Agents (TAs) can indeed be promoted/reclassified and whether there are differences in agencies. We will update here when we can and apologies for the confusion: we have updated our table below. If you have information on this topic please send it to us [6], it is much appreciated!*
*Update 04.01.2023: ‘In line with the HR strategy adopted … April 2022, the appraisal report has been revamped to introduce a number of simplification measures and improvements. [7]‘ The indicative timetable is listed there too [7]: the process starts 09.01.2023 for officials, there is no equivalent timeline published for Contract Agents [8] as yet.
Original article
We explain the process and offer tips. Join us January 10 2023 (Tuesday) 12:00-13:30. It is crucial to understand how this works because it will play a huge part in how your career will progress (or not). We cover how to prepare your self-assessment and your one-on-one interview with your line manager (‘reporting officer’) [1].
What is normal?
The average promotion speeds for officials are laid down in the staff regulations Annex I.B [9] and here is our chart [10] with those percentages converted to years. Contract Agent (3a) promotion (‘reclassification’) speeds can be found on page 3 of this document [11]. Unfortunately, CA 3b staff cannot be reclassified [12], meaning their appraisal has no rewards associated with it.
| Staff | Appraisal | Reward possible? | Minimum time in grade (‘seniority’) to be eligible | Average speed of reward |
| Officials | Yes | Promotion [13] | 2 years | Staff Regulations Annex I.B [9] and our chart [10] with those percentages converted to years |
| Temporary agents [14] (2a and 2d [15]) | Yes | Reclassification (JRC/GROW/RTD [16] only?) [*] | 2 years | Staff Regulations Annex I.B [9] |
| Temporary agents (2b, 2c, 2e, 2f [15]) | Yes | no[**] | Not applicable (N/A) | N/A |
| Contract Agents [17] 3a | Yes | reclassification [18] | 2 years | Page 3 of Ares(2021)2467829 – 12/04/2021 CSC note on CA 3a [11] |
| Contract Agents 3b [12] | Yes | no | ≤ 3 years | N/A |
Unfortunately, the process is more than a little flawed [19] and the system of quotas [20] can make or break [21] your promotion/reclassification [22] dreams: look at how sometimes your promotion has very little to do with you [20].
What are you offering me?
As usual, we offer one-on-one sessions to help colleagues by reviewing their self-assessment text. Here is the link to sign up for our assistance in reviewing your draft text [23]. Please be so kind as to prepare a first draft of your text; keep in mind we will help you improve it but not write it from scratch with you [2].
If you are worried about a less-than-optimal evaluation, please read all you can about the potential outcomes [24], sign up for our assistance with your text and mention the circumstances of your doubts when you are contacted by Generation 2004.
Where do I start?
Look at the recommendations made in your last evaluation (if you have one) and note the 3 assessment criteria:
- the quality of your previous evaluation reports [3]
- the use of languages in the execution of duties
- the level of responsibilities exercised especially for budgets, people or representing your unit/service/institution to others.
For those of you wanting to make a start on this now (we salute you, well done!) here is a recording from the 2020 event [25] and the 2021 presentation [26].
Please remember also that you are evaluated on the time you were present: there should be no mention of your leave of any kind. It does not matter if you were off sick or on parental leave or on holiday, how good was your work while you were present?
If you appreciate our work, please consider becoming a member of Generation 2004 [27].
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[1] Here is the guidance for reporting officers (ROs) [28] on how to write their part of your evaluation.
[*] There is a joint committee on reclassification (not promotion) for Temporary Agents (TAs) of JRC/GROW/RTD [16] only. We also see TAs with permanent contracts (yes, mental gymnastics are necessary here: to be permanently temporary) 2a and 2d [15] listed for reclassification.
[**] 16.01.2023 HR response to our questions on TAs: Conditions of Employment of Other Servants (CEOS [29]) (Article 15(2)) which states that only the provisions on annual reports [appraisal] from the Staff Regulations [30] (SR) (Article 43) apply by analogy to TAs. By contrast, there is no such provision concerning promotion (SR Article 45). This means that, in principle, TAs are not subject to promotion. This principle is confirmed in the case-law of the General Court (e.g. T-366/15 P [31], paragraph 48).
[2] Please note that it takes around 2-3 working days us to do our part and include this time in your planning: it might not be feasible for us to deal with last-minute requests.
[3] Probation reports cannot and should not be used for promotion purposes [32].
toolTips('.classtoolTips19','Staff Regulations of Officials and the Conditions of Employment of Other Servants of the European Union (\'Staff Regulations [33] (SR)\') are rules stating:
• fundamental conditions of service
• basic rights, duties and obligations of staff.
The SR have been reformed x 2 (so far):
• 2004 (Kinnock White paper)
• 2014 (Regulation 1023/2013 [34])
For a summary of stated intentions and real outcomes of those two reforms check out: European Court of Auditors, 2019, Special report no 15/2019 [35]: Implementation of the 2014 staff reform package at the Commission – Big savings but not without consequences for staff
'); toolTips('.classtoolTips23','
Contract Agents (CAs) were created by the 2004 Staff Regulations Reform. There are two types of CA: those with unlimited contracts, 3A [36] (‘indefinite’) and those with time-limited contracts [37], 3B [38]. CAs can belong to 4 different function groups (\'GF\') with different responsibilities and salaries [39].
As the use of contract staff becomes increasingly common, there has been a corresponding increase in the diversity of status and pay of the Commission’s workforce. For example, GFIV contract staff meeting the same minimum recruitment requirements (education and experience) as junior administrators may earn 28 % less. (European Court of Auditors, 2019, Special report no 15/2019 [35]: Implementation of the 2014 staff reform package at the Commission – Big savings but not without consequences for staff, point 61, page 34)
We have a working group dedicated to the dossier, and in December 2012 we addressed the first of many letters (\'notes\') about Contract Agents to Human Resources of all Institutions and Agencies [40] (here is the cover e-mail [41]).
As a background you can see the report of the Commission to the Council regarding the recruitment of the contract agents in 2010 [42] (in French, COM(2011)802 final 23.11.2011).
Our articles on Contract Agents [43]
'); toolTips('.classtoolTips26','A committee whose members are from two or more different organisations. In the context of the staff representation at the Commission this means that the committee members are:- 50% HR (\'the administration\')
- 50% trade unions and staff associations (OSPs).
Joint Committees at the Commission can be attached to the Central Staff Committee (CSC [44]) or to the Local Staff Committee (LSC): Brusels, Luxembourg, Ispra/Seville, Karlsruhe, Petten, Geel, France and Outside the Union (\'hors Union\'/\'CLP-HU\').'); toolTips('.classtoolTips38','Agencies (in general) can be either:
- the >40 decentralised organisations [45] with seats throughout the EU which are created by a specific legislative act and charged with a particular task\' e.g. Europol, the EMCDDA , the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) and Frontex.
- the 6 Brussels-based Executive Agencies [46] which are \'legal entities established ... with a view to being entrusted with certain tasks relating to the management of one or more European Union programmes. These agencies are set up for a fixed period.\' They are CINEA, EACEA, HADEA, Eismea, ERCEA and REA.