Welcome to the tenth edition of our Newsletter! In this edition, we emphasise the importance of prevention and respect at work through a meeting between Generation 2004 and the Chief Confidential Counsellor. For those who missed our recent lunchtime conferences, recordings are now available for sessions on burnout prevention, EPSO competitions, and the current state of Contract Agents. A non-exhaustive FAQ is also included for reference. Continue reading Newsletter editorial – 30-10-2025
Teleworking is no longer a privilege – it is a modern and effective way of working that supports productivity, motivation, and work-life balance across the European External Action Service (EEAS). Yet for Local Agents (LAs) working in EU Delegations around the world, the rules on teleworking remain inconsistent, restrictive, and overly-dependent on local interpretations. Only 1 day of working from home is currently available for local agent colleagues. Continue reading Teleworking for Local Agents: Time for Fairness, Flexibility, and Trust
Generation 2004 recently met with the Chief Confidential Counsellor (CCC), the authority on the topic of workplace bullying and harassment, to explore how we can strengthen cooperation, increase visibility of the network of confidential counsellors, and further promote a genuine culture of bullying prevention and of mutual respect across the European Commission. Appointed in September 2024, the Chief Confidential Counsellor leads a dedicated team of around twenty trained counsellors. Continue reading Supporting Prevention and Respect at Work: Generation 2004 Met the Chief Confidential Counsellor
*Update 05.11.2025 we have seen the article suggesting ending the EU civil service and are evaluating its content. We intend to attend the staff event on the large-scale review of the Commission on Friday 21 November, as we encourage you all to do also.*
Original article: We intend to address the issues raised there in our response to the large scae review.* Generation 2004 invites all colleagues to a brainstorming session on the Large-Scale Review – the new reflection exercise launched by the Commission to assess its structure and functioning. While the official message speaks of modernisation, agility and simplification, many colleagues are sceptical. We have seen in the past – in 2004 and 2014 – how such exercises ended in reforms that weakened staff rights and career prospects (‘perspectives’).
As promised, please find below a list of frequently asked questions (FAQs) on Contract Agents (CAs). The questions were harvested to a large extent from our October 2025 CA event (thanks to all who attended!) and from the many, many CA questions received via email. At Generation 2004 we find it frustrating that many discussions on improving CA situations in many different spheres are shut down with ‘well, they knew what they signed up for’. We find that this is most certainly not the case: if it is difficult even for staff representatives to know exactly which rules apply, how on earth can we expect new arrivals (newbies) or even returners (false newbies) to know? Continue reading Contract Agent FAQs
The Luxembourg local staff committee (LSC) elections will take place before the end of the year. Are you interested? Are you a potential candidate? If you’ve ever thought about getting more involved in what’s happening outside your day to day, outside your building, outside your staff category or even beyond the Luxembourg site itself, then this is your moment! Continue reading Interested in standing as a candidate for the Luxembourg local staff committee?
*Update 30.10.2025: here is the recording and the contact slides. Thanks to the >270 colleagues who attended.
Original article: Do you feel constantly overwhelmed, deeply exhausted, scared to go in BURNOUT ? Maybe you are there already. Or just care for a friend, a colleague and want to help… Discover the Burnout Support Network with one of the co-founders. Continue reading LUNCHTIME CONFERENCE WITH INSPIRING GUEST SPEAKER: COLLEAGUES HELPING COLLEAGUES – the Burnout Support Network
*update 29.10.2025: here are the recording and the slides. Generation 2004 is always watching what’s happening in terms of recruitment, particularly in Luxembourg. We give you an outline of the current status of EPSO competitions, together with some of the most recent challenges. While internal competitions are not the focus of this event, they are part of the process and the context, so will not be ignored. Generation 2004, we’re here for you! Continue reading Lunchtime event: EPSO competitions: where are we?
*Update 30.10.2025, here’s the promised Contract Agent FAQs.*
*Update 29.10.2025: here is the recording and the slides.
Original article: Generation 2004 is here again to help you to know the rules that apply to you as a Contract Agents (CAs). We want you to make the best decisions you can with the information available. In the hybrid event below we plan to have around 1.5 hours to address your CA questions. We intend to gather all of your questions to make a Contract Agent frequently asked questions (FAQs) for our website. Continue reading Lunchtime event: Contract Agents: key challenges and recent developments
*Update 14.11.2025 Here is the presentation. Thanks to the colleague who provided information for point 5: interinstitutional excellence hubs and linking it to the Luxembourg-specific EPSO competition for data specialists.* *Update 31.10.2025, 14.11.2025 is indeed a Friday. We have corrected the article and send huge thanks to the colleague who reached out to us!*
Original article: Generation 2004 is pleased to invite you to a lunchtime event to look at the ongoing challenge of attracting and retaining staff in Luxembourg (the ‘attractivity’ issue). We will look at the original 12 actions for Luxembourg: those announced in 2022, together with the default-direct-billing side-quest of October 2025. That’s not one of the 12 actions, not even part of our additional unofficial 13th action (hospital overpricing): is this issue really well-known enough for its solution to impact recruitment and retention in Luxembourg? Continue reading Lunchtime event: 12 actions for Luxembourg
