Generation 2004 tries to give credit where credit is due. We also give constructive feedback where we find that there are systems in place which work against the well-being of all the colleagues who have to interact with those systems. Generation 2004 sees that many front-line colleagues are not given recognition for the work they do and the difference they make. Rigid rules can make life difficult both for those applying those rules and for those who find themselves subject to them. Continue reading Share your positive PMO story
z Newsletter article
Help a European School to stay on the map!
*Update 15.05.2024 Neder-Over-Heembeek won’t be available in 2028 as originally planned, but in late 2030.*
Original article: Brussels staff with kids in European Schools lose sleep every time their kids’ school is threatened with closure or transfer. If you are one of them, please send the text below and share the action with others. If it’s not your school this time, it could well be next time! The European School of Evere is presented as a permanent solution in a temporary building. Continue reading Help a European School to stay on the map!
Newsletter editorial – 13-12-2023
Welcome to the (lucky?) thirteenth and final edition of the Generation 2004 newsletter for 2023. Where did 2023 go? We are already looking to the future with with the 2024 edition of our annual conference on the self evaluation, our offer of training on certification and competitions and our session on doing the transfer-out of pension rights. We give you the preliminary results of our survey on career potential and some guidance on appealing non-inclusion in the 2023/24 certification exercise. Our photo competition on workspace temperatures ‘Operation Hiver‘ is ongoing: send us your pics! On a more serious note, we ask how the disconnection bandwidth corresponds with the use of work group apps on private mobiles and we outline the update to some JSIS ceilings.
That’s it now for 2023!
We wish you a very merry Christmas and a healthy and happy New Year!
Enjoy the reading and get in touch if you believe we can help!
Updated medical-bill ceilings: a step in the right direction
If you’ve entered the Joint Sickness Insurance Scheme (JSIS) online you will have been greeted with the good news of Higher reimbursement ceilings, broader access to medically assisted reproduction. There was a similar announcement on MyIntracomm AuQuotidien (see the comments below the line for suggestions and additional information). Commission Decision of 17.11.2023 (C(2023) 7673 final) Continue reading Updated medical-bill ceilings: a step in the right direction
Echoes of unhappiness
*Update 19.02.2025: ‘By default, all [internal] competitions will be cross-category.’ (Stay tuned: A new approach for internal competitions) This is excellent news and should now put the Commission on an even footing with the Parliament and other EU institutions. We hope that this inclusion is genuine and that the competitions are not otherwise skewed to reduce participation. Participation in these competitions can be done in parallel to the certification: use all your options!*
Work groups on private mobile: voluntary?
*Update 12.04.2024: On the processing of personal data: the European Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS) European Commission’s use of Microsoft 365 infringes data protection law for EU institutions and bodies.* Original article: There’s a difference between the right to disconnect as presented in the working time and hybrid working (WTHW) decision and the reality for those being ‘encouraged’ (voluntold/expected) to join messaging groups on their private mobile for ‘business continuity’. See our recent communication on this topic. The right to disconnect is in the 2022 WTHW decision and also its 2023 evaluation where it is acknowledged that more needs to be done. Continue reading Work groups on private mobile: voluntary?
Certification: 5 days to appeal non-inclusion
*Update 19.02.2025: ‘By default, all [internal] competitions will be cross-category.’ (Stay tuned: A new approach for internal competitions) This is excellent news and should now put the Commission on an even footing with the Parliament and other EU institutions. We hope that this inclusion is genuine and that the competitions are not otherwise skewed to reduce participation. Participation in these competitions can be done in parallel to the certification: use all your options!* Continue reading Certification: 5 days to appeal non-inclusion
Newsletter editorial – 01-12-2023
Welcome to the twelfth, but not last, edition of the Generation 2004 newsletter for 2023. Many of you asked last year for us to provide our end-of-year checklist and appraisal planning a bit sooner this time round in order to allow you to act on the suggestions there. So, here you have it, please make the best use you can of it! Winter is here and with it our competition for the coolest ‘chilling in the office’ photo. We present a summary of the recent town hall meeting on working time and hybrid working and of what has changed in terms of the annual medical check-up. Continuing with change, how about e-voting on those sites still voting on paper and more transparency and dialogue at Eismea and in the Representations? On the topic of career progression we have a look at the internal competitions in general, at the extremely specific criteria of the latest three in particular and we then invite you to consider our training offer.
That’s it now for now! Enjoy the reading and get in touch if you believe we can help!
Internal competitions – Progress for some, barrier for others
*Update 11.04.2024 the AST competition to be made open to AST-SC colleagues was finally published in February, some 3 months behind the original planning*
Original article: Equal opportunities but not for all. When individuals embark on a career within the European Commission, they hold legitimate expectations of progression and growth, regardless of their staff category. Whether one is a permanent official, a temporary employee, or a contract agent, the belief in opportunities for professional development is inherent. Continue reading Internal competitions – Progress for some, barrier for others
Operation Hiver – a contest for the coolest picture
*Update 09.04.2024, here are the results of our contest, thanks to all who participated!*
*Update 08.03.2024 the gendered aspect of this debate has been around for a long time, we see no evidence that it is being addressed, please get in touch if you’ve seen anything to counter this! Overcooling of Offices reveals gender inequity in thermal comfort. and Here’s Why Your Office May Be Too Hot or Cold: Gender Bias.*
*Update 14.12.2023 As promised below, here is our note to HR and OIB/OIL asking for the year of data on office temperatures.*
Original article: Winter is coming. The official rhetoric is that the EU is committed to ambitious environmental goals Continue reading Operation Hiver – a contest for the coolest picture
