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Psychological support changes *obsolete*

COVID-19, Health, Newsletter - 2021-02-03, PMO Print This Post

*Update 01.01.2023 this information is now obsolete: ‘the exceptional and temporary measures for the reimbursement of psychotherapy sessions in the context of Covid 19 – first 5 session of psychological support without medical authorization – are no longer applicable. From this date, the usual rules apply [1]*

Further to our October 2020 article: Avoiding surprises with JSIS when choosing a psychotherapist please note that the JSIS updated its rules in January 2021: Continue reading Psychological support changes *obsolete* →

CPPT: keeping up the good work to safeguard the health and safety of staff

Health, Newsletter - 2021-02-03, Open Plan Office Print This Post

The Committee for prevention and protection at work (CPPT) recently agreed on the need to request more detailed information – including technical data and the proof that staff have been consulted and agreed with the project – before giving an opinion on two requests to transform office space into an open-plan environment. Continue reading CPPT: keeping up the good work to safeguard the health and safety of staff →

Office-space reorganisation in DG Trade: the latest

Newsletter - 2021-02-03, Open Plan Office, return to the office-new normal Print This Post

In an article published on 18 December 2020, we informed you about the reply to Generation 2004’s November note to Ms Weyand, Director-General of DG Trade, requesting clarification on their plans for an office-space reorganisation.

We welcomed this reply, however at Generation 2004 we are aware that the devil is often in the detail,  Continue reading Office-space reorganisation in DG Trade: the latest →

Good news: 100% reimbursement of COVID-19 vaccination costs

COVID-19, Health, Newsletter - 2021-02-03 Print This Post

The central bureau of the Joint Sickness Insurance Scheme (JSIS) recently agreed that the health insurance provide 100% reimbursement of costs for COVID-19 vaccination in 2021.

This measure covers staff in activity, retired staff, and persons entitled to primary or complementary cover. It applies only where the person cannot receive the vaccination free of charge within the framework of an occupational health campaign or a vaccination campaign organised by national authorities. Continue reading Good news: 100% reimbursement of COVID-19 vaccination costs →

Update to special-leave-for-parents petition

Childcare, COVID-19, Health, Newsletter - 2021-02-03, Petition, Surveys, Teleworking, Working conditions Print This Post

Further to our June 2020 article From the special-leave-for-parents petition to the social dialogue meeting and the closure of the corresponding petition for special leave for parents of young children in August 2020 with 2121 signatures, we continue to do what we can to ensure that your voice is heard and that parents of young children are not simply left to get on with it.  Continue reading Update to special-leave-for-parents petition →

Merry Christmas and a happy New Year!

Newsletter - 2020-12-18 Print This Post

Generation 2004 wishes you a merry Christmas and a happy New Year in spite of these very particular times, it’s been a hard year for all of us and we’d like you to know that we continue to raise your issues and fight on your side, even in the unprecedented perfect storm of circumstances we have been living for a while now: the ‘new normal’ of a global pandemic, national lockdowns, sudden border closures, homeschooling-teleworking burnout and an EU-27 post-Brexit: we are still here for you! Continue reading Merry Christmas and a happy New Year! →

Return to the office well out of sight

COVID-19, Health, Newsletter - 2020-12-18, PMO, return to the office-new normal, Social Dialogue, Teleworking, Working conditions Print This Post

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.

Continue reading Return to the office well out of sight →

Local agents update

Local Agents, Newsletter - 2020-12-18, Outside the Union, Staff Regulations Reform, Working conditions Print This Post

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

additional teleworking costs, COVID-19, IT kit for telework, Newsletter - 2020-12-18, PMO, Teleworking, Working conditions Print This Post

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

Assistants, Contract Agents, Junior Professionals Programme, Newsletter - 2020-12-18, Secretaries and clerks, Staff Categories Print This Post

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 →