Newsletter-2025-09-11

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

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*Update 30.09.2025: Here is the recording and the presentation.  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 28.10.2025 here’s the response to our note, which makes no mention of the  issue of staff being denied the opportunity to attend an in-person exam.*

*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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*Update 25.09.2025 The outcome of the court case related to the removal of the expatriation allowance for some staff in the Parliament while working from outside the place of employment during Covid is added as footnote [**].*

Original article: 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?  →