Health

End-of-year checklist 2024

*Update 19.12.2024 many thanks to the colleague who wrote to clarify that the flu vaccine is no longer reimbursed at 100%.*

Original article: In response to your feedback we try to send this list out a bit earlier in order to give you time to take action. We encourage you to do what you can now in order to be able to use the end-of-year period to rest and to recharge your batteries. This is not an opportunity to get work done!  Please, as far as you can, switch off your devices, mute notifications and disconnect: take the time for you. Continue reading End-of-year checklist 2024

Why you don’t have to wait for retirement to pursue your dreams

** Update 03.03.2025, As promised, Gudrun is sharing her Dream Activation Kit, a powerful resource designed to help you gain clarity, unlock your potential, and take the first steps toward your dream life. This free kit includes a 12 step guided roadmap, a self-assessment quiz, a unique guided somatic embodiement exercice and an exclusive free Dream Activation Call with Gudrun to support your transformation. 👉 Get access here (from a private computer or your mobile phone):

https://shandora.mvsite.app/products/courses/view/1168412

Continue reading Why you don’t have to wait for retirement to pursue your dreams

ISPRA : Access to Health Care in Italy – Sick of Waiting 

*Update 02.05.2025: Beware, we have no published source for this, so this is hearsay, but we felt it important enough to keep in mind. [*]  It has been suggested that those choosing to leave pension contributions made to the Italian state in Italy (i.e. not doing a transfer into the Pension scheme of the EU institutions (PSEUI)) might have/retain some claim to having a national health insurance card, the tessera sanitaria.  Do you have any information on this?

Continue reading ISPRA : Access to Health Care in Italy – Sick of Waiting 

JSIS special reimbursement: send us your experiences!

*Update 06.11.2025, apologies for the late update: several of you got in touch to say that the individual must initiate the request for special reimbursement.*

Original article: JSIS special reimbursement (Article 72(3) [1]) calculations will be sent automatically, can you verify? The rules say it can happen, but has it ever happened? Witnesses please! We can find no figures and we need your help! So, any colleagues out there who have (or have had) heavy medical expenses, have you ever received an information note listing non-reimbursed expenditure over the previous 36 months and informing you of your potential eligibility for additional special reimbursement? Please get in touch! Continue reading JSIS special reimbursement: send us your experiences!

Brussels Childcare Colleagues: Essential role in shaping our children’s development

Generation 2004 is keeping an eye on the ongoing issues at the interinstitutional after-school childcare for the children of staff. The After-school childcare Brussels (Accueil Pédagogique Post-Scholaire (APPS)) is marred by significant issues affecting a part of its staff, who are undervalued and underpaid despite their crucial roles.

Continue reading Brussels Childcare Colleagues: Essential role in shaping our children’s development

Health screening: hoops to jump through

*Update 15.02.2025 here’s the January 2025 response we’ve received to our September 2024 note on this topic.*

Original article: We’re all well used to jumping through administrative hoops within the institutions. When hoop-jumping becomes an Olympic sport we fully expect the Commission to be on the podium. In the meantime, we have observed that the hoops related to the new health screening programme appear to have been made just a little more difficult than necessary.  Continue reading Health screening: hoops to jump through

Are interpreters being listened to?

New technologies do not always bring benefits for everybody. One of the collateral victims of more digitalisation are interpreters.  The job of an Interpreter was already difficult in the “old” days of meetings in situ, with interpreters working from booths in the conference room where delegates negotiated EU policies.

Continue reading Are interpreters being listened to?

Lunchtime conference with guest speakers: My Safety – Understanding and Addressing Urban Violence in Brussels

*update 28.06.2024, the Recording and presentation are available (NB: in *.Zip format). Brussels,  the heart of Europe, is a vibrant city but like many cities (big and small), it faces challenges related to urban violence. Recently, incidents of violence in Brussels have become a growing concern affecting the safety and well-being of our staff and our citizens

Continue reading Lunchtime conference with guest speakers: My Safety – Understanding and Addressing Urban Violence in Brussels

Summer holiday 2024 checklist (Tips)

For those of you who remain in the office keeping the Commission standing (thanks!), please check out the heatwave instructions for dealing with hot Offices and the list of buildings to be temporarily closed under Buildings Energy Saving Together (BEST) 2024[1]. Read our related article on how these closures undermine that working from home is voluntary.*

Continue reading Summer holiday 2024 checklist (Tips)

TAXUD’s Alarming Decline in Staff Well-being: Our efforts have paid off!

In our article of 10 April 2024, Generation 2004 had raised concerns about well-being of staff in DG TAXUD and proposed many actions to enhance our colleagues’ working conditions.  We are happy to announce that our efforts have contributed to draw the attention of Senior Management on the issue. Continue reading TAXUD’s Alarming Decline in Staff Well-being: Our efforts have paid off!