Newsletter – 2023-12-13

Transfer of pension rights FAQs

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*Update 24.10.2024: The list of financial intermediaries for the transfer out as published by PMO is not final. We have updated question 8 below to make that clearer.*

Original article: The pension scheme of the European Union institutions (PSEUI) is for all institutions and most agencies. Check out our general pension FAQ. Regardless of whether you work in the Parliament, Council or Commission and whether you are an official, a Temporary Agent or a Contract Agent you are probably making contributions to the PSEUI.

Continue reading Transfer of pension rights FAQs →

Newsletter editorial – 13-12-2023

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Welcome to the (lucky?) thirteenth and final edition of the Generation 2004 newsletter for 2023. Where did 2023 go? We are already looking to the future with  with the 2024 edition of our annual conference on the self evaluation, our offer of training on certification and competitions and our session on doing the transfer-out of pension rights. We give you the preliminary results of our survey on career potential and some guidance on appealing non-inclusion in the 2023/24 certification exercise. Our photo competition on workspace temperatures ‘Operation Hiver‘ is ongoing: send us your pics! On a more serious note, we ask how the disconnection bandwidth corresponds with the use of work group apps on private mobiles and we outline the update to some JSIS ceilings.

That’s it now for 2023!

We wish you a very merry Christmas and a healthy and happy New Year!

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

Updated medical-bill ceilings: a step in the right direction

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If you’ve entered the Joint Sickness Insurance Scheme (JSIS) online you will have been greeted with the good news of Higher reimbursement ceilings, broader access to medically assisted reproduction. There was a similar announcement on MyIntracomm AuQuotidien (see the comments below the line for suggestions and additional information). Commission Decision of 17.11.2023 (C(2023) 7673 final) Continue reading Updated medical-bill ceilings: a step in the right direction →

Echoes of unhappiness

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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. Participation in these competitions can be done in parallel to the certification: use all your options!*

Continue reading Echoes of unhappiness →

Work groups on private mobile: voluntary?

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*Update 12.04.2024: On the processing of personal data: the European Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS) European Commission’s use of Microsoft 365 infringes data protection law for EU institutions and bodies.* Original article: There’s a difference between the right to disconnect as presented in the working time and hybrid working (WTHW) decision and the reality for those being ‘encouraged’ (voluntold/expected)  to join messaging groups on their private mobile for ‘business continuity’. See our recent communication on this topic. The right to disconnect is in the 2022 WTHW decision and also its 2023 evaluation where it is acknowledged that more needs to be done. Continue reading Work groups on private mobile: voluntary? →

Certification: 5 days to appeal non-inclusion

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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. Participation in these competitions can be done in parallel to the certification: use all your options!* Continue reading Certification: 5 days to appeal non-inclusion →

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 →

Training offer for external competitions and certification

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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. Participation in these competitions can be done in parallel to the certification: use all your options!* Continue reading Training offer for external competitions and certification →

We wish you a merry Christmas and a happy and healthy start to 2024!

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We wish you a very merry Christmas and a healthy and happy New Year!  Please use this time to disconnect from work, to rest and to spend your energy on what is important to you. Here’s our end-of-year checklist to help you to use what you’re entitled to. In 2024 we will continue to raise your issues and fight on your side, we are always here for you! Continue reading We wish you a merry Christmas and a happy and healthy start to 2024! →

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 →