Newsletter – 2021-09-08

EPSO CBT training offer: October 2021

Events, Newsletter - 2021-09-08, Training Print This Post

*Update 18.10.2021: online free resources added below*

Generation 2004 is organising more computer-based multiple-choice test (CBT) training in English for 4/8/11/14 October (4 x 2 hour sessions) to provide you with techniques to pass the CBT phase of any European Personnel Selection Office (EPSO) competition. We expect new competitions to be published very soon (within the next few days) (check ongoing selection procedures for CBT dates).

The final objective of this training is to guarantee that candidates master the CBT methodology. The training sessions will go through the theory of the exercises and share a practical methodology and exercises for practice at home, with the possibility of addressing doubts in the following session. Continue reading EPSO CBT training offer: October 2021 →

Newsletter editorial – 8-9-2021

Editorial, Newsletter - 2021-09-08 Print This Post

Welcome to the first post-summer newsletter. We look at digital overload, burnout and back to the office, we thank all of those involved in the Afghanistan evacuation and we present two promotions-related articles, one on the unfair distribution of quotas and one on the promises made to our colleagues in the medical service. We also have articles on the changes which have already taken place related to the post-Brexit annual travel allowance and the financial rights related to breakups.  We propose electoral changes in order to improve transparency and propose further dates for CBT training, ready for new competitions.

That’s all for now, we hope you will enjoy the reading and, as usual, we invite you to let us know what you think or to get in touch if we can help you in any way or there’s something you’d like to see us address.

Digital overload, burnout and back to the office

additional teleworking costs, COVID-19, Health, Newsletter - 2021-09-08, return to the office-new normal, Surveys, Working conditions Print This Post

*Update 04.01.2024 Even in 2016 smartphones were seen to add 11 hours of work to the average week.* Original article:  We invite you to participate in our survey on workload, digital overload and burnout. The Working time and hybrid working decision (issued July 2021) setting out the proposed ‘new normal’ with its ‘disconnection bandwidth’ is still under discussion (follow-up meeting with HR 8 September) and we’d like to have your most recent, post-summertime input, especially in light of the move to Phase 3 of the return to the office strategy announced for Monday 20 September for all Commission sites [1]. Continue reading Digital overload, burnout and back to the office →

Thanks for your support for colleagues in Afghanistan!

EEAS, Local Agents, Newsletter - 2021-09-08, Petition Print This Post

Thanks very much to the colleagues who joined our petition and expressed their support and solidarity. We acknowledge also the huge effort made by the European External Action Service (EEAS) and the Commission to provide information and updates in this very extreme situation : they reacted quickly to sort through the avalanche of information they received and take appropriate action. Continue reading Thanks for your support for colleagues in Afghanistan! →

Electoral reform proposals: transparency in the ballot lists

Brussels, Electoral reform, Local Staff Committee, Newsletter - 2021-09-08 Print This Post

At Generation 2004 we make no secret of the fact that we would like to see electoral reform. A standardisation of the electoral rules would make the staff representation not just simpler and significantly more user friendly for all, but also much more transparent.

That transparency would, ideally, also be extended to groupings of trade unions and staff associations (OSPs). It is imperative that staff know for whom they are voting: the voting system is already opaque and any agreements in place between OSPs should be made clear in order to allow staff to make informed decisions when voting. [1] Continue reading Electoral reform proposals: transparency in the ballot lists →

Empty promises? Medical staff already forgotten?

Assistants, COVID-19, Newsletter - 2021-09-08, Promotions, Working conditions Print This Post

As Generation 2004 we would like to express our enormous gratitude to the medical staff as whole: you have worked extremely hard, under huge pressure, put in long working hours and showed great dedication throughout this pandemic. We make a special mention also of those in Brussels charged with the additional responsibility of vaccinating [1] Brussels-based and visiting staff Continue reading Empty promises? Medical staff already forgotten? →

Unfair distribution of promotion quotas

Administrators, Assistants, Local Agents, Newsletter - 2021-09-08, Promotions, Secretaries and clerks, Staff Categories Print This Post

If promotion quotas were distributed equally and without discrimination by DG HR, then each function group (FG) – administrator (AD), assistant (AST), and secretaries and clerks (AST/SC) – would have the same or a very similar ratio of promotion quotas to eligible staff (those with a minimum of 2 years in the grade) [1].

Since this information is not publicly available, we had to politely and firmly insist that DG HR release the relevant statistics by making an access to documents request. Continue reading Unfair distribution of promotion quotas →

Changes to financial rights after a breakup, does this affect you?

Childcare, Newsletter - 2021-09-08, PMO Print This Post

*Update 31.03.2023 Revised Conclusion No 283/20 – Determination and payment of financial entitlements under the staff regulations in the event of dissolution of a marriage or partnership, or termination of a de facto relationship: This Conclusion cancels and replaces Conclusions 3/77, 38/79, 111/85, 131/86, 220/04, 222/04 and 283/20.* The recently adopted Conclusion No 283/20 Determination and payment of financial entitlements under the Staff Regulations in the event of dissolution of a marriage or partnership, or termination of a de facto relationship [1] sets out the updated information. Check whether this affects you. Continue reading Changes to financial rights after a breakup, does this affect you? →

Brexit and the annual travel allowance: explanation

Brexit, Newsletter - 2021-09-08, place of origin, PMO Print This Post

*Update 14.05.2024: situations 1 and 2 below have changed. Check the HR statement. This will apply going forward with no backpay/claw back for anyone other than the colleagues who went to court.* Check our place of origin articles.*

Original article: Many colleagues (of all nationalities) who normally receive the June annual travel allowance either did not receive it this year or received a modified sum: the determining factor was place of origin. Continue reading Brexit and the annual travel allowance: explanation →