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Newsletter editorial – 11-09-2025

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Welcome to our eighth newsletter edition. In this edition, we invite you to join an inspiring lunchtime conference with a guest speaker, and we highlight key staff concerns: mobility for Contract Agents 3a, equal recognition for language exams, and the shortcomings of multiple-choice tests. We also share our practical guide to preparing for competitions, shed light on what staff representatives actually do, and revisit the debate on teleworking from abroad.  Finally, we take a critical look at the Commission’s so-called “modernisation” and what it might really mean for staff.

That’s all for now!

Enjoy the reading and get in touch if you believe we can help!

Lunchtime conference with inspiring guest speaker

Events, Health, Newsletter-2025-09-11, Training Print This Post

From stress to success – tell yourself a better story with Andreea HINCU.  Very passionate about the human behaviour, Andreea has always been curious to discover the secrets of how our brain functions. She is a Clinical Rapid Transformational Therapy (RTT) Hypnotherapist, and she comes to share with us the magic of our subconscious mind, in order to become the successful person you‘ve always wanted to be. Continue reading Lunchtime conference with inspiring guest speaker →

Mobility for contract agents 3a: priority that cannot be ignored 

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The subject of the internal job market  and the lack of real opportunities for Contract Agents to move post (‘job mobility’) has already been raised in earlier discussions, and we have exchanged views with the administration. In our opinion it requires further attention (details of the exchange are listed under ‘references’, below this article), particularly concerning the situation of CA 3a colleagues, who regularly approach us with their concerns and frustrations. We feel it is important to restate our concerns on this matter, given the on-going challenges faced by colleagues.  Continue reading Mobility for contract agents 3a: priority that cannot be ignored  →

Equal recognition for language exams

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*Update 18.09.2025: we’ve added a language-level-equivalence table below, many thanks to the reader who provided this. *

Original article: Here’s one more issue raised by staff:  Generation 2004 was contacted by colleagues across different staff categories, including Contract Agents 3b,  who were refused permission to attend in-person final exams for the in-house 12-level language courses. One reason given was that at this stage they are not required to validate their third language under the staff regulations or Conditions of Employment of Other Servants (CEOS).
 Continue reading Equal recognition for language exams →

Multiple-choice tests under scrutiny

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The use of multiple-choice tests (multiple choice questions (MCQ) and computer-based tests (CBT)) in internal and EPSO competitions has come under fire due to concerns over their effectiveness and fairness. These tests, which are widely used to assess candidates’ knowledge and skills, have been found to have several pitfalls, including technical issues, translation problems, and, above all, poorly designed questions. Continue reading Multiple-choice tests under scrutiny →

Preparing for Competitions: Generation 2004’s Guide to Resources

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Generation 2004 regularly organises, free workshops to help you prepare for EPSO and internal competitions. Our main partner is  Yasemos Europeos, and together we provide high-quality, accessible learning resources. We are also happy to share additional curated materials that can further support your preparation.
Continue reading Preparing for Competitions: Generation 2004’s Guide to Resources →

What Do Staff Representatives Work On? 

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If you’re facing a problem at work, have a question about your rights, or need help navigating a difficult situation, you don’t have to go through it alone. Staff representatives are here to listen, guide, and support colleagues regardless of staff category or contract type.   Being a staff representative means more than attending meetings.
 Continue reading What Do Staff Representatives Work On?  →

Telework from elsewhere or anywhere or abroad?

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Generation 2004 has consistently asked for an extension of the current 10-day quota to telework from anywhere (also sometimes erroneously called ‘telework from abroad’) (TWA). DG HR’s often-used argument to reject this request is that the average use of this possibility remains well below the 10 days given.
 Continue reading Telework from elsewhere or anywhere or abroad? →

Is Modernisation Just a New Word for Austerity? 

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The President has tasked Commissioner Serafin to ensure that Europe can draw on “a modern, efficient public administration” and has invited him to carry out a ‘large-scale review of the Commission’s organisation and operations’. The first question we can already ask is: Who will be the corresponding ‘high-level reflection group’ and what will be the selection process for that group?  Continue reading Is Modernisation Just a New Word for Austerity?  →

Newsletter editorial – 08-07-2025

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Welcome to our seventh newsletter edition. In this edition, we start with breaking news: we are hiring a secretary and you can now combine parental leave with teleworking abroad. We talk about revisiting the GIPS for Contract Agents and highlight the hidden injustice in EU hiring and call for better prices and food quality in Commission canteens. In the realm of family and personal life, we ask the European Commission to stop discriminating against women on egg freezing and raise the topic of marriage versus partnership. Furthermore, we examine Luxembourg-specific updates, including the housing allowance, JMO2, and EU education allowance and state aid. Finally, we touch on EEAS-specific topics, such as the modernisation of the Delegation Network, the appraisal system reform, the teleworking rights for local agents, as well as what Permanent Representation (should not) know about you.  And last but not least, some summer holiday useful tips.

That’s all for now!

Enjoy the reading and get in touch if you believe we can help!