Welcome to the ninth edition of Generation 2004 newsletter for 2024. This edition highlights several key updates, including the defense of our fundamental rights, the judgement on the place of origin, the EU unemployment insurance scheme, mobility of Contract Agents, and internal and EPSO competition new offers.
Newsletter – 2024-09-25
Brussels Childcare Colleagues: Essential role in shaping our children’s development
Generation 2004 is keeping an eye on the ongoing issues at the interinstitutional after-school childcare for the children of staff. The After-school childcare Brussels (Accueil Pédagogique Post-Scholaire (APPS)) is marred by significant issues affecting a part of its staff, who are undervalued and underpaid despite their crucial roles.
Continue reading Brussels Childcare Colleagues: Essential role in shaping our children’s development
The shark attack! Place of origin losses
In the past few months, Generation 2004 published several articles on the Court of Justice’s April 2024 judgement on the place of origin. The issue contested was the 2014 staff regulations reform which moved all places of origin located outside the EU to the capital city of the staff Member State. The colleagues won their case, reinstating the real place of origin. We provided an analysis on repercussions on staff and mentioned that Generation 2004 was in close contact with the administration to mitigate as much as possible the negative effects of the judgement that has negatively affected approximately 300 colleagues. Continue reading The shark attack! Place of origin losses
Unemployment fund in top shape: Will non-permanent staff contributions decrease?
*Update 12.03.2025 refusing a contract renewal is counted as resigning, this is not new, but the information could be made clearer.*
*Update 06.02.2025 It happened! Lower unemployment contribution rate for Contract and Temporary Agents. Thanks to those who brought this to our attention and check your February payslip code CCA. Look what we can achieve together!*
Original article: Did you know that every 2 years the Commission is expected to present a report on the financial situation of the EU unemployment insurance scheme? The last one issued in February 2024 covers the period between 2017 and 2022. You might find it interesting… Continue reading Unemployment fund in top shape: Will non-permanent staff contributions decrease?
Reinforcing mobility for contract agents
Generation2004 has taken a closer look at the potential to change post or DG (‘mobility’) of Contract Agents (both permanent 3A and non-permanent 3B), triggered by the feedback from our members. We are astonished how restrictive and inflexible the system continues to be. We are convinced that a lack of mobility in general hampers career growth which can lead to frustration, demotivation, burnout and contribute to long periods of medical leave. A change is needed!
Training Offer: EPSO competition AST3
*Update of 27.09.2024, here is additional useful documentation. Generation 2004, in collaboration with Yasemos Europeos, is happy to offer you online training for the competition EPSO/AST/156/24 Assistants (AST3) in 3 fields (1. Financial management 2. Accounting and treasury 3. Public procurement) with a special discount rate for our members ONLY.
The offer includes modules on Self-study Multiple Choice Questionnaires (MCQ). All training modules will be in English.
Training offer: Internal competitions AD5/AD6/AST2/ASTSC2
*Update 07.03.2025: YSE – TEST MCQ on EU + Written Test COM Internal Competition 2024 – FULL GROUP/ Registration closed. YSE – Self-study TEST MCQ on EU + Written Test – COM Internal Competition 2024 – book it via Teachable (here). YSE – WRITTEN Test – COM Internal Competition 2024 – FULL GROUP/Registration closed. Continue reading Training offer: Internal competitions AD5/AD6/AST2/ASTSC2
Do you know what your Perm Rep knows about you?
Do you know that your personal data is being transferred on regular basis to your national EU Permanent Representation? And not only there. Actually, DG HR has been sending mass quantity of sensitive data of tens of thousands of active Commission staff, 3 times per year to your Member State Perm Reps plus your host country Perm Reps: Belgium or Luxembourg.
Continue reading Do you know what your Perm Rep knows about you?
Health screening: hoops to jump through
*Update 15.02.2025 here’s the January 2025 response we’ve received to our September 2024 note on this topic.*
Original article: We’re all well used to jumping through administrative hoops within the institutions. When hoop-jumping becomes an Olympic sport we fully expect the Commission to be on the podium. In the meantime, we have observed that the hoops related to the new health screening programme appear to have been made just a little more difficult than necessary. Continue reading Health screening: hoops to jump through
Eismea’s Latest Adventure: A Mission to the US or Losing Staff Trust Forever?
Ah, the European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency (Eismea). Just when we thought things couldn’t get any more exciting (read: Eismea: when better becomes worse | Generation 2004), we’re hit with yet another plot twist: the publishing of a new position that has everyone scratching their heads. It’s like that moment in a movie where the villain turns out to be… Continue reading Eismea’s Latest Adventure: A Mission to the US or Losing Staff Trust Forever?
