Unfortunately, we have yet another example of circumstances where our secretary and clerk (AST/SC) colleagues are again treated unfairly, this time not within the Commission itself, but in the European External Action Service (EEAS) with its 144 EU Delegations around the world, specifically when it comes to applying for jobs there (‘postings’). We remind you that AST/SC is the smallest, most restricted and newest of all three function groups for officials, it’s been around only 8 years: it was created by the 2014 staff regulation reform. Continue reading EEAS: discriminatory treatment of AST/SC staff
Outside the Union
No work-life balance for colleagues in Delegations?
While the flexible working arrangements such as offsetting and recuperating working hours (‘flexitime’) and working from home are implemented for Member States and headquarters (HQ), as of today, colleagues in 144 Delegations around the world still have no legal basis to telework. This issue has been flagged multiple times in different meetings with management and a social dialogue was planned to be concluded in September 2022. As of today, still, nothing. Continue reading No work-life balance for colleagues in Delegations?
Colleagues in Kyiv to return to the office
Against the backdrop of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine (24.02.2022), colleagues in Kyiv are to return to being present in office starting from 31.10.2022. Local Agents (LAs) are provisionally required to be present four days per week and official (generally expatriate) colleagues are required to be present for a minimum of 2 weeks (we have asked for clarification of this part of the instructions, since the plan for presence suggests that the 2 weeks can also be teleworked). For context, teleworking in Ukraine and abroad was made available also for LAs by Admin decision (2022)20, initially for a period of 3 months. Continue reading Colleagues in Kyiv to return to the office
Hybrid working guidelines for DGs and Delegations, what should we expect?
Generation 2004 firmly believes that the EU institutions should focus on impact and output rather than the means of work. When the pandemic has shown that, for many roles, teleworking can be as effective as office presence (and is considered equivalent), why does the EU appear to prefer to go back in time? Why burden colleagues with again finding balance, having to revamp their schedules and routines with the associated stresses in order to be present in their place of employment rather than letting them continue to telework in peace, efficiently, effectively, and happily? Continue reading Hybrid working guidelines for DGs and Delegations, what should we expect?
Prioritize internal Local Agents recruitment in EU Delegations
As noticed by many colleagues in Delegations, the recruitment procedures for vacant posts for Local Agents are advertised internally and externally at the same time. One cannot avoid asking: Why would management search by default for candidates externally, instead of first providing a path of career growth to its existing talent?
We believe that unless a Delegation is extremely small, there is always the possibility to fill the post by internal candidates. Continue reading Prioritize internal Local Agents recruitment in EU Delegations
Generation 2004 requests up to 12 days for volunteering
*You asked, we took action! Many of you contacted us with concerns that the currently allowed 1 day of paid special leave per year for volunteering activities is wholly inadequate to help the millions of Ukrainian women and children fleeing war and seeking refuge in the EU. On 01.04.2022 it was proposed that this be made 5 days for volunteering in Ukraine. This is an improvement: it’s not the 12 we asked for, but it’s still more than the original 1! (Communication to staff – Update 53). Ms Ingestad confirmed the new limit in her response to our 22.03.2022 note (10.05.2022)* Continue reading Generation 2004 requests up to 12 days for volunteering
Deadline 31.03.2022: LA employment-conditions reform
The latest deadline extension for Local agents to decide whether they would like to accept the new Local Agent conditions expires 31 March 2022. The conditions of employment are available for colleagues who were already in service since December 2020.
Continue reading Deadline 31.03.2022: LA employment-conditions reform
Home leave Decision 2022: an improvement for some staff
The new home leave decision 2022[1] will provide more days of leave to official, temporary agent and contract agent colleagues who are employed 2001km or more away from their official place of origin[2]. Generation 2004 thinks that this decision will have a far from solid impact on the general purpose of having a good work-life balance and the time to connect with friends and family, not to forget all the inevitable administrative work one needs to do when back in the home country. Continue reading Home leave Decision 2022: an improvement for some staff
Special leave for volunteering: it’s one day PER YEAR!
*update 01.04.2022: it is proposed that this be made 5 days for volunteering in Ukraine. it’s not the 12 we asked for, but it’s still more than the original 1! (Communication to Commission staff – Update 53) Ms Ingestad confirmed the new limit in her response to our 22.03.2022 note (10.05.2022)*
Generation 2004 clarifies the options available for volunteering in response to colleagues who have reached out to us for details. As mentioned on How to help Ukraine[1], special leave is available in sysper for volunteering. That means that you can volunteer and still be paid your full wage at the end of the month: great, right?[2] Continue reading Special leave for volunteering: it’s one day PER YEAR!
Generation 2004 requests assistance be provided to Kyiv Delegation colleagues
Upon request, teleworking in Ukraine and abroad has been made available also for local agents by the latest Admin decision (2022)20. For the time being this arrangement will be for 3 months, we will closely monitor the situation and the requests for extensions where applicable and necessary.
Since the onset of the Russian invasion of Ukraine (24.02.2022) Generation2004 has actively been in touch with local agents and we are aware that all expat colleagues have been successfully evacuated to locations outside the country. For local agents, Generation 2004 requested the following: Continue reading Generation 2004 requests assistance be provided to Kyiv Delegation colleagues
