Newsletter-2026-05-29

Becoming a real Luxembourgish or not – and what would happen to the expatriation allowance? 

Acquiring the Luxembourgish nationality can offer numerous benefits and provide a sense of belonging and identity, buy many colleagues are also concerned about the consequences it would have for their expatriation allowance (16%) or foreign residence allowance (4%). 

Continue reading Becoming a real Luxembourgish or not – and what would happen to the expatriation allowance? 

Internal Competition COM/AD/106/2026: Inclusion for Some, Exclusion for Others?

The publication of the new internal competition COM/AD/106/2026 in the field of Competition and Digital policies once again raises serious questions about the coherence of the Commission’s internal competitions strategy and its approach to talent management.  

Continue reading Internal Competition COM/AD/106/2026: Inclusion for Some, Exclusion for Others?

IDOC: a failed due process!

Are you sure that you have never breached staff regulations (SR)? Are you aware of the fact that every breach of Staff Regulations might have an impact on your career within the Institutions? Are you aware of the existence and mission of the Investigation and Disciplinary Office of the Commission (IDOC)? Are you aware that annually an IDOC activity report is published in My Intracomm? 

Continue reading IDOC: a failed due process!

Energy Costs: Social Dialogue Opens the Door, But Flexibility Must Come First

Following the joint request submitted by Generation 2004 and U4U, DG HR organised a social dialogue meeting on the impact of the current geopolitical and energy situation on staff. We welcome the fact that DG HR chose to engage directly with staff representatives rather than simply replying in writing. 

Continue reading Energy Costs: social dialogue Opens the Door, But Flexibility Must Come First

New Cognitive Testing in the AD7 Internal Competition: A Reflection on Skills, Fairness and the Future of Recruitment

The introduction of the new SHL Interactive G+ cognitive assessment in the recent AD7 internal competition has sparked significant discussion among colleagues across the European Commission. While cognitive testing is not new in EPSO procedures, this specific format represents a substantial evolution in both methodology and scope. 

Continue reading New Cognitive Testing in the AD7 Internal Competition: A Reflection on Skills, Fairness and the Future of Recruitment

Conference: 11.06.2026 reclassification and promotion appeals, Generation 2004 is here to help

The 2026 draft reclassification and promotion lists will be published in Sysper on Thursday 11 June.  There are now very limited options to influence whether your name is on the final lists when they are published mid-November. We have a lunchtime event planned to explain both what happens next and what those limited options are that are available to you if you find that your name is not on that list (and you believe that it should be). Please prepare for the event and start making notes for a potential appeal. Continue reading Conference: 11.06.2026 reclassification and promotion appeals, Generation 2004 is here to help

AD7 Data management competition as EPSO’s Second Attempt with TAO: A ‘Leyenda’ Yet to be Born (?)

Leyenda (Legend) is the subtitle of Isaac Albéniz’s famous guitar piece, Asturias, that ‘lucky’ candidates could ‘enjoy’ even for an hour or more while waiting for the Portuguese helpdesk during EPSO’s recent Data Management (EPSO/AD/426/25) competition. Under the new TAO system, it seems a glitch-free exam experience is indeed becoming something of a legend itself. 

Continue reading AD7 Data management competition as EPSO’s Second Attempt with TAO: A ‘Leyenda’ Yet to be Born (?)

Generation 2004 supports the petition in favour of Contract Agents (CA) – our support for the Contract Agents’ Collective

In the recent weeks and days, you might have received via email a petition from the CA collective’. What the ‘CA collective’ is proposing is not new to us. To a large extent, it is a reflection and continuation of the positions that we, as a staff association, have been advocating for over a long period of time and aligned with our postulates for CAs. 

Following the exchange of views with the colleagues involved, we understood their intentions and convictions and consequently we have decided to support the related petition. This position was re-confirmed during the conference organised on 4 May 2026. 

Continue reading Generation 2004 supports the petition in favour of Contract Agents (CA) – our support for the Contract Agents’ Collective

AD7 internal competition: a compass on complaints, queries and legal remedies

On internal or open competitions, the notice of competition is the ‘bible’.  Why?  Due to its binding nature. The notice of competition (NoC) and its annexes operate as a binding legal framework for the procedure. You should therefore read it before anything else. You should even consider that each ‘word’ and ‘comma’ counts!

This article is not about the lack of competitions or its badly planification, wrongdoings, or about technical difficulties you may face when you are applying to internal or open competitions. 

This article is a brief guide on proceduresrights and duties regarding complaintsqueries, and legal remedies at your disposal when something goes wrong. Obviously, you should primarily focus on the content and not in the procedures. You should focus on the tests and not on complaints, queries and legal remedies, but it is quite important to master them when time comes.  Continue reading AD7 internal competition: a compass on complaints, queries and legal remedies