As we have done since the very beginning of the COVID‑19 pandemic, we at Generation 2004 continue to closely monitor developments and their repercussions on our working conditions, as well as the health and well-being of staff. In November we participated in two social dialogue meetings with DG Human Resources and Security (DG HR) to discuss all the issues pertinent to the health emergency.
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Local agents update
Implementation of the new package for local agents (LAs)
While the administration commits to get the large number of EU Delegation exceptions (‘derogations’) ready for a decision by February 2021, it means the entire package will not be available for LAs to decide until then. In this latest update to this ongoing issue, Generation 2004 urges all LA colleagues to ensure that they fully understand the entire package before they make their decision as it is likely to be irreversible. Continue reading Local agents update
Home-office equipment dilemma: zero clarity
Following the announcement by Commissioner Hahn and DG HR of a move to help staff equip their home Offices, many of you contacted Generation 2004 to enquire about the two different schemes mentioned. Yes, you read that correctly, the Commission has set up one scheme for the (partial) reimbursement of a screen and an office chair (purchase deadline 31 December [1]) and is developing a more comprehensive second scheme for 2021 [2].
Generation 2004 was pleased that the Commission is at last taking steps in the direction we have been advocating for since the start of the COVID‑19 crisis: support staff under the compulsory teleworking arrangements by improving ergonomics at home.
Continue reading Home-office equipment dilemma: zero clarity
Junior Professionals Programme (JPP) open for contract agents – or not
DG Human Resources and Security (DG HR) has recently announced changes to the Junior Professionals Programme (JPP). The most important change is that now all Contract Agents (CAs), from function group 1 (FGI) to 3 (FGIII), can apply for the programme [1]. Sounds too good to be true? Congratulations for recognising this, you are definitely an experienced colleague at the Commission.
Continue reading Junior Professionals Programme (JPP) open for contract agents – or not
Office-space reorganisation: reply from DG Trade
Generation 2004 sent a note to Ms WEYAND, Director-General of DG Trade on 4 November 2020 to request clarification on their plans for an office-space reorganisation.
We were contacted in relation to plans to move only assistants/secretaries and clerks (ASTs/AST-SCs) and Contract Agents (CAs) into shared Offices.
Continue reading Office-space reorganisation: reply from DG Trade
Newsletter editorial – 18-12-2020
Welcome to the last Generation 2004 Newsletter of 2020. And to the end of week 40 of telework for most of us.
Since our last instalment the details of the partial reimbursement of an office chair and screen have become clearer, but there appears to be a second scheme planned, how does this fit with what’s already being done: is it backwards compatible?
The Junior Professionals Programme has been extended to include Contract Agents (CAs), but our look at the eligibility criteria suggests that it’s less inclusive than it seems.
No general return to the office is planned for the foreseeable future, but when it does happen (and it will!) we need to be sure that we don’t return to office space which has been reconfigured in our absence and without our input.
We also provide information on the (even further!) extended deadline for local agents (LAs) to agree new working conditions and point out a couple of pitfalls.
We take a look at the responses you provided to our survey on teleworking from abroad and list some tasks it’s worthwhile getting done this side of the Christmas and New Year break.
So, that’s it for 2020, which, despite not knowing what 2021 will provide, we are only too eager to see it behind us! Take care and enjoy reading!
Teleworking from abroad: Survey results are out
Generation 2004 asked you for your opinion on this topic in a 10-question survey over 5 weeks October-November 2020 and 1 500 of you responded. The short answer to our question of whether you want to be able to telework from abroad is a resounding ‘YES!’: 93% (1 393) of those who responded would like to have that option available.
Though it must be noted that there are several different versions of ‘yes’ proposed and it was possible to select more than one of them: Yes, for a limited period like summer, Christmas etc./Yes, in exceptional situations like COVID‑19./Yes, permanently.
Continue reading Teleworking from abroad: Survey results are out
Things to check before holidays start (Tips)
Although at the moment you are most probably in full trying-to-find-one-last-gift mode (good luck with that!), there are perhaps some other things worth checking before your well-deserved Christmas and New Year holiday leave.
If you meet the criteria, submit your request to be vaccinated against COVID-19 as soon as it is available: the deadline is 15 January 2021. Continue reading Things to check before holidays start (Tips)
Newsletter editorial – 19-11-2020
Welcome to the Generation 2004 Newsletter of 19 November 2020. And to week 36 of telework for most of us.
A lot has happened since our last instalment: the promotions and reclassification lists were published on Thursday 12 November, congratulations to those with happy news and for those who are less than happy, check out for the options still open to you (you have until 11 February to act). On the topic of promotions, we address the selective amnesia on display from our peers on our continued abstention from the final vote of the joint promotions committee to endorse the flawed promotions system.
We also show how you can apply the recently-published Eurostat yearly salary update to your salary and have a rough idea of how much is due to you. Also on the topic of money, the Commission has announced that it will contribute to the costs of purchasing a screen and/or office chair: check out on how the just-published reimbursement process.
The modernisation of HR is still in our sights, this time from the point of view of non-permanent staff who provide examples of where to start making the institutions a better place to work for all of us. Our Petition in support of Contract Agents is open until Friday 27 November. We also provide information on the extended deadline for local agents to agree new conditions: the implications of this and what has to happen next. DG HR announced that we can telework pre-Christmas for a week from abroad[1], and we’d still like your opinion on this being made more permanent. Our survey on teleworking from outside the place of employment is open until Friday 27 November: participate! let us hear what works for you!
Finally, we have a look at a recent CJEU Brexit/second nationality case, debunk an office urban legend in the process, while showing that the kind words of June 2016 were just that, kind words.
[1] This was increased to 2 weeks on 20.11.2020: p.7, Point 5.1b: ‘Staff may be authorised by their line manager to telework from abroad as of 10 December and until the start of the end-of-year period of the Commission (24 December)’.
Finally – reimbursement of teleworking costs
Yes, we can! This is the bottom line of this article. Yes, we can convince the Commission to do the right thing, even if it takes a lot of pressure (and more pressure) and notes (and more notes). After many discussions and meetings, DG HR has agreed in its Coronavirus update #23 to reimburse the costs for a screen and an ergonomic chair with ceilings of €150 and €200, respectively. While the reimbursement process has only just been set out [1] (and for seconded national experts (SNEs) is still being worked on [2]), this is a huge win for our colleagues, and we take the opportunity to thank all of you who have supported us during the last 8 months while we fought this uphill battle. A special thanks goes to the colleagues who used our template to request a reimbursement. While DG HR has refused these Art. 90.1 requests, the sheer number of them proved that there is a real need. This is your victory.
Continue reading Finally – reimbursement of teleworking costs
