Newsletter – 2023-12-01

Newsletter editorial – 01-12-2023

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Welcome to the twelfth, but not last, edition of the Generation 2004 newsletter for 2023. Many of you asked last year for us to provide our end-of-year checklist and appraisal planning a bit sooner this time round in order to allow you to act on the suggestions there. So, here you have it, please make the best use you can of it! Winter is here and with it our competition for the coolest ‘chilling in the office’ photo. We present a summary of the recent town hall meeting on working time and hybrid working and of what has changed in terms of the annual medical check-up. Continuing with change, how about e-voting on those sites still voting on paper and more transparency and dialogue at Eismea and in the Representations? On the topic of career progression we have a look at the internal competitions in general, at the extremely specific criteria of the latest three in particular and we then invite you to consider our training offer.

That’s it now for now! Enjoy the reading and get in touch if you believe we can help!

Internal competitions – Progress for some, barrier for others

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*Update 11.04.2024 the AST competition to be made open to AST-SC colleagues was finally published in February, some 3 months behind the original planning*

Original article: Equal opportunities but not for all. When individuals embark on a career within the European Commission, they hold legitimate expectations of progression and growth, regardless of their staff category. Whether one is a permanent official, a temporary employee, or a contract agent, the belief in opportunities for professional development is inherent. Continue reading Internal competitions – Progress for some, barrier for others →

Operation Hiver – a contest for the coolest picture

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*Update 09.04.2024, here are the results of our contest, thanks to all who participated!*

*Update 08.03.2024 the gendered aspect of this debate has been around for a long time, we see no evidence that it is being addressed, please get in touch if you’ve seen anything to counter this! Overcooling of Offices reveals gender inequity in thermal comfort. and Here’s Why Your Office May Be Too Hot or Cold: Gender Bias.*

*Update 14.12.2023 As promised below, here is our note to HR and OIB/OIL asking for the year of data on office temperatures.*

Original article: Winter is coming. The official rhetoric is that the EU is committed to ambitious environmental goals Continue reading Operation Hiver – a contest for the coolest picture →

Brownie points, shattered dreams & utility-bill miracles

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*Update 27.02.2025: the question of whether managers can/should  use Teams/Skype or other status as an indication of your presence/availability has been raised repeatedly, particularly given that you might have a different status on each platform. Check out question 14 of the flexible working FAQs for written confirmation that this is not their intended use and that status is not a reliable indicator of presence or non-presence.* Continue reading Brownie points, shattered dreams & utility-bill miracles →

Internal competitions – but for whom?

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*Update 19.02.2025: ‘By default, all [internal] competitions will be cross-category.’ (Stay tuned: A new approach for internal competitions) This is excellent news and should now put the Commission on an even footing with the Parliament and other EU institutions. We hope that this inclusion is genuine and that the competitions are not  otherwise skewed to reduce participation.* Continue reading Internal competitions – but for whom? →

Training offer for certification & internal competitions

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*Update 15.12.2023, check out our 2024 training.* Generation 2004, in collaboration with Yasemos Europeos, is offering online trainings and webinars to assist you in preparing for the Certification exercise and internal competitions.

There is a special price for all participants to  the certification  training.  The talent screener  webinar is free for all staff.

You can find the video recording and the PowerPoint presentation of the free webinar here.

Continue reading Training offer for certification & internal competitions →

Is e-voting the right tool for the JRC?

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*Update 23.07.2024 HR says its not feasible to have e-voting at Geel and Karlsruhe, once more money is cited as a factor, are we surprised?*

Original article: Digitalisation is everywhere: we pay electronically, we get our news and movies digitally and we even meet online. While some types of human interaction would, ideally, never be replaced, many routine administrative activities can certainly benefit from going digital. Nevertheless, it’s important to include those who will use new systems and procedures in the decision-making process: while we might save on queuing with e-Voting, are we maybe missing out somewhere else? Continue reading Is e-voting the right tool for the JRC? →

Cancer detection: no longer a priority?

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*Update 17.09.2024 check out the pros and cons of screening: this is the reasoning given behind the decisions below. We also invite you to check the uneven/inequal cancer outcomes observed in Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan.*

Original article: Generation 2004 has heard from several of you concerning your difficulties in navigating the new systems to have screening tests reimbursed at 100%, now that the medical service is no longer providing the so-called ‘bon rose’. That way of authorising specific tests outside the Medical Service was withdrawn in February 2023[1]. Continue reading Cancer detection: no longer a priority? →

End-of-year checklist 2023

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In response to your feedback from last year, we 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 2023 →

2024 appraisal and promotion/reclassification exercises conference

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We publish this early enough for you to make a start on listing your achievements, training and highlights throughout 2023 to avoid you having to hit the ground running in January. This conference explains the evaluation process and offers tips. Join us Tuesday, 9 January 2024, 12:00-13:30. We cover how to prepare your self-assessment and your one-on-one interview with your line manager (‘reporting officer’) [1] this is applicable both to the promotion (officials) and reclassification (Contract Agents, except 3b)[2]. Continue reading 2024 appraisal and promotion/reclassification exercises conference →