*update 28.06.2024, the Recording and presentation are available (NB: in *.Zip format). Brussels, the heart of Europe, is a vibrant city but like many cities (big and small), it faces challenges related to urban violence. Recently, incidents of violence in Brussels have become a growing concern affecting the safety and well-being of our staff and our citizens
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Summer holiday 2024 checklist (Tips)
For those of you who remain in the office keeping the Commission standing (thanks!), please check out the heatwave instructions for dealing with hot Offices and the list of buildings to be temporarily closed under Buildings Energy Saving Together (BEST) 2024[1]. Read our related article on how these closures undermine that working from home is voluntary.*
Generation 2004 support for local democracy – Sign up to vote in Belgian local elections (DDL 31 July)!
Did you know that Brussels is the most international city in the democratic world? There is as much as 315,000 eligible international voters, 77% of them being EU citizens. They are one third of all potential voters across the 19 Brussels communes. In some communes such as Ixelles, Saint Gilles or Etterbeek, non-Belgians make up almost half of the population.
Empowering contract agents: Generation 2004 calls for amendments to 7- year rule
***Update 15.10.2025 DG HR position on the application of the anti-cumulation (‘7-year’) rule***
Original article: We would like to inform you that following your numerous and regular questions concerning the 7-year rule (originally 6-year rule)[1] which applies to Contract Agents (CA) 3B, we submitted an official note to the administration requesting clarification on its application and ultimately the extension of the 7-year rule by 3 additional years. The rationale behind this request is clear, but we know that 10 years is generally avoided since this is the threshold for entitlement to an EU pension.
Continue reading Empowering contract agents: Generation 2004 calls for amendments to 7- year rule
Newsletter editorial – 13-06-2024
Welcome to the seventh edition of the Generation 2004 newsletter for 2024! In this issue, you’ll find crucial updates about urgent info regarding Luxembourg ING bank accounts. We also provide you with guidance on how to appeal non-promotion/reclassification decisions. You will also learn to identify fake interviews. We invite you to join us for a conference on city violence protection. Furthermore, don’t miss the reply from DG TAXUD to our note on the alarming decline in Staff Well-Being and our article on personal data, private phone usage, and standby duty, especially in Delegations. ‘Enjoy’ a new episode of the Evere European School saga. Finally, we’d love your feedback on the Career Days organised by DG HR. That’s it for this edition. Reach out if we can assist you!
Streamlining the Family Allowance Process: A Welcome Change for EU Staff in Belgium
*Update 08.07.2024. We will not claim that PMO reacted to our note of May and implemented the new system within this one month. But we do believe that we gave a bit of a push. Lately, the European Union’s Paymaster’s Office (PMO) has been under scrutiny due to prolonged delays in processing school fee reimbursements and third-party allowances.
Continue reading Streamlining the Family Allowance Process: A Welcome Change for EU Staff in Belgium
Newsletter editorial – 13-06-2024 EEAS
Welcome to this EEAS Special Edition of Generation 2004 Newsletter 2024! In this Newsletter, you’ll find an article on the standby duty and the use of private phones for work. You will read useful information on the intermediate salary update in June and on the Local Agents salary method. Last but not least, you will find a state of play of the travel allowance/place of origin judgement by the Court of Justice. Enjoy reading and reach out if we can assist you!
How to identify a fake interview: the workshop you will never find in “Career Days”
Why have we decided to write this article? We all know mobility in the Commission is exemplary (look at the precise targeting of some internal competitions). We also know all job interviews in the Commission endeavour to follow the highest standards of transparency with the sole objective to find the best candidate for the job. Talent and Career Development! People First! Continue reading How to identify a fake interview: the workshop you will never find in “Career Days”
ING Lux client? Act now!
*Update 28.06.2024: many thanks to the colleagues who got in touch to say that bank account changes are happening quickly and to suggest accounts with the association cooperative financière des fonctionnaires (AMFIE) as an option.*
Original article: If you have a Luxembourg ING bank account please act quickly to ensure that you receive your August salary. We calculate that you must not only have a new account in place but also have it approved within the FiLIP application by Thursday 20.06.2024 to avoid problems. We’ve sent a note to PMO to ask what workarounds they have in place and whether they’re ready for this additional (and sudden) increase in workload. Continue reading ING Lux client? Act now!
Think twice before sharing your mobile with … the Commission
It is not the first time that we warn on the progressive intrusion into staff privacy by the administration. Generation 2004 and the rest of the staff representation is firmly against these practices. This time we want to warn you not of a forced intrusion, but one that you might be tolerating without being aware of the consequences. Continue reading Think twice before sharing your mobile with … the Commission
