*Update 11.08.2023, September training offered by HR for those who passed written tests.* Original article: Firstly, our EPSO survey is still open: we eagerly await your responses. The more data we have, the clearer the picture we can paint of the exam experience and the more difficult it is to dismiss the evidence as not representative/urban legends/hearsay. Please participate! Now, onto the latest update on the ongoing EPSO issues. The bad news is that nothing has changed so far and everyone who should take action to address the problem has not yet done so. This in spite of the specific actionable issues raised by Generation 2004, all the trade unions and staff associations together (‘Common Front/Front Commun’) as well as the Central Staff Committee. Nevertheless, we do not give up: we continue fighting for your rights and for a robust, fair system that will work, ensure equal opportunities and not push the entire responsibility of known technical failings on the candidates. Continue reading EPSO update – the show must go on!
z Newsletter article
The institutions implement the Picard judgement – sort of … FAQ
*Update 05.11.2025, we’ve received several emails asking about a second Picard-related case. We believe that this relates to those who have become officials and so have added a heading below. If this is not what is meant by ‘Picard 2.0’ or you have any info, please share it and we’ll add it here, thanks!*
Original article: In April, we informed you during a lunchtime conference about the judgement in the Picard case and its far-reaching consequences for (former) Contract Agents (CAs) and temporary agents (TAs) or more precisely: staff that were previously covered by the Conditions of Employment of Other Servants (CEOS). Continue reading The institutions implement the Picard judgement – sort of … FAQ
Evaluation of hybrid working, room for improvement
*Update 23.01.2024, the formal HR evaluation was published in November 2023, using one year of data April 22-April 23. We request that this be followed up with the calendar year of 2023.* More than one year into the implementation of the Decision on Working time and Hybrid Working (WTHW) and with the deadline fast approaching, DG HR started the obligatory evaluation process at the end of May to ‘assess whether adjustments … are required’ (see Article 17, WTHW decision). Generation 2004 welcomes this evaluation and the fact that HR has requested feedback from (selected) joint committees, even though it is not formally required. Nevertheless, we do find it unfortunate that an evaluation envisaged from the start should have such limited scope. We have 7 proposals: 2 to make the evaluation more meaningful and inclusive and 5 on the decision itself. Continue reading Evaluation of hybrid working, room for improvement
Teleworking from abroad: why not more?
We worked from home (‘telework’) 100% for over a year (2020-21) and we’ve been able to telework from outside the place of employment (teleworking from anywhere/abroad (TWA)) for 10 days per year since 2021. In comparison, colleagues in the European Central Bank (ECB) have 90 such days and those at the European Patent Office (EPO) have 60. We’ve shown teleworking works and we’ve shown ourselves to be flexible, responsible and trustworthy. We delivered, even from kitchen tables and living rooms, even from outside the place of assignation. What happens now? Let’s look again at taking TWA further. Continue reading Teleworking from abroad: why not more?
Summer holiday checklist (Tips)
*Update 24.07.2023 Luxembourg national legislation now includes the right to disconnect, though the situation on the ground needs some work.* *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) 2023[1]. Read our related article on how these closures undermine the insistence that working from home is voluntary.*
With many of us now looking forward to enjoying some well-deserved leave over the summer, we remind you that annual leave is your time to do with as you will. It is not there for you to catch up on work still needing done, it is not there for you to ‘clear your feet’ with projects, it is not there for you to monitor what is or is not happening back in the office. Being reachable all of the time is draining, contributes to burnout and can allow bullying/harassment to continue round the clock and unabated. Take this time for you and leave the office behind! Continue reading Summer holiday checklist (Tips)
Another intermediate salary update – but beware the end of the year
*Update 13.12.2023 some 2000 (of the lowest-paid) colleagues have seen their salary drop in December.* Original article: We hope you had a positive surprise when looking at your June payslip; following the intermediate update last year (after decades without them), inflation is still so high that Eurostat’s calculations lead to a small update this year. While of course every little bit of help is welcome, the update value of 1.7% is clearly not enough to deal with the (still) sky-high inflation. Continue reading Another intermediate salary update – but beware the end of the year
Be aware of lost money for a pension transfer-in
*Update 06.11.2025 here is the link to retirement info on staff matters.*
Original article: Are you (relatively) new in the institutions? Have you worked somewhere else before and acquired pension rights in another pension scheme? Then you have surely heard about the possibilities to transfer your pension rights from your previous scheme into the EU pension scheme, a so called “transfer-in”. In an older article, we already informed you about the conversion coefficients that play a crucial role in determining how many years Continue reading Be aware of lost money for a pension transfer-in
The competitions are in dire straits
We’ve written a lot already about the issues related to the remotely-proctored EPSO competitions. When we first raised these issues on your behalf with EPSO[1] and its management board in December 2022 (and in April 2023), we anticipated that they would be addressed (whyever wouldn’t they be, right?). However, to our surprise (and disappointment), not much was done. To add insult to injury, the very same issues we highlighted then continue to be present, even across different providers, in the internal competitions: a situation we find both frustrating and scandalous. Nevertheless, the response continues to be unsatisfactory: ‘everything is fine’ (January, February and May). Continue reading The competitions are in dire straits
Newsletter editorial – 30-06-2023
Welcome to the seventh edition of the Generation 2004 newsletter of 2023. We start with the time-sensitive first: Contract Agent colleagues have 5 working days to request to be included on the reclassification list (this makes the deadline end of Monday 03.07.2023 for most). Staff in agencies demonstrated 06.06.2023 in Brussels and we were there to show our support. We shine a light on the lack of transparency in decision-making e.g. how a transfer in might have no impact on your pension or how to gather the information you need when you want to leave. We are pleased to see that Parliament has had a change of heart on salaries lower than the Luxembourg minimum wage: will the Commission one day follow suit? We consider the proposed changes in the European Schools and look for volunteers. We explain the recent salary update and provide a summary of the ongoing EPSO rollercoaster ride and invite you to share your experience in our survey.
So, that’s it for this this edition, thanks to all of you for your support, ideas and feedback: please keep it coming!
Take care and enjoy reading!
European Parliament requests changes in European Schools governance
*Update 18.03.2024 See European Parliament REPORT on the system of European Schools: state of play, challenges and perspectives.* Original article: Any colleague with children in European Schools realizes how many aspects need to be improved, but also looks with concern at any proposals for change.
The European Parliament took the initiative to launch a study on the European Schools in 2021. This was a follow-up to their 2011 report and subsequent European Parliament resolution. Various stakeholders were consulted, including students, parents and the European Commission. Continue reading European Parliament requests changes in European Schools governance
