The rules for Contract Agents (‘general implementing provisions (GIPs) 2017′) set out a process for a potential change of function group. This ‘screening’ or ‘upgrade’ process can be organised, by way of exception, by the administration, taking into account the numbers of potentially eligible staff and available funds.
This means in practice that screening is neither routine nor predictable: the process can be patchy, sporadic and opaque.
The European Court of Auditors, 2019, Special report no 15/2019: Implementation of the 2014 staff reform package at the Commission – Big savings but not without consequences for staff has a table on p. 50 (Annex III) showing which tasks ostensibly correspond to which function groups.
It is this screening that resulted in a change of function group and an unforeseen later retirement age for Mr Picard, until he took the matter to court and won.
Here are the CSC communications on screening exercises.
21.03.2024 HR response
27.04.2023 HR response
15.11.2023 CCP
22.03.2023 Contract agents — “screening” inventory and accelerated reclassification
