*Update 21.11.2024 check out the European Court of Auditors, 2024, Special report 24/2024: EU Civil service–A flexible employment framework, insufficiently used to improve workforce management: it concludes that ‘…the institutions do not focus on imbalances in the SC and AST function groups in their analysis, and concentrate instead on the AD group, and in particular the starting grades (AD5-AD8).‘ (P. 51) Check out their corresponding chart on p.51 showing the huge and unaddressed imbalances in AST and AST/SC function groups. Why on Earth choose to focus efforts on middle management, on part of a function group?[*] Where’s the global vision? Why tackle the hard stuff?* Continue reading ASTs: exploited and forgotten or given a future?
Professional mobility
Reinforcing mobility for contract agents
Generation2004 has taken a closer look at the potential to change post or DG (‘mobility’) of Contract Agents (both permanent 3A and non-permanent 3B), triggered by the feedback from our members. We are astonished how restrictive and inflexible the system continues to be. We are convinced that a lack of mobility in general hampers career growth which can lead to frustration, demotivation, burnout and contribute to long periods of medical leave. A change is needed!
Upholding flexibility offered by Third-party option in Mobility.net
*Update 24.10.2024 We’re aware of OIB now accepting cross-border commuter passes reimbursement requests via myPMO, but Luxembourg-based colleagues are to use the same method as before.*
*Update 15.07.2024 Check out ‘A new tool for reimbursement’ in the Brussels Green Commuting Communication on MyIntracomm. It promises reimbursement of Brussels transport tickets without having to wait for them to expire. Have you managed to do this? Please let us know!*
Continue reading Upholding flexibility offered by Third-party option in Mobility.net
Own-initiative training: You are, in fact, on your own
*Update 09.04.2024 we have received a response to our note below from HR: the own-initiative training budget is very limited but special leave might still be available as a contribution to your OIT. Please use all your options!*
Original article: If you work for the Commission and you would like to keep up with developments in your area of expertise, or to acquire new skills to help you in your work, you are in for an unpleasant surprise. Up until recently, the Commission would contribute to the fees of a successful course, making it easier to take the decision to acquire university or other qualifications later in your career – especially for colleagues at the lower end of the pay scales. Continue reading Own-initiative training: You are, in fact, on your own
Internal competitions – but for whom?
Very close to the end of the year, the Commission has kept up with its stated planning in its 2022-2024 cycle of internal competitions and published a number of internal competitions. Great, right? What is there to complain about? Why are we bringing this to your attention? We encourage you have a look at the very specific eligibility criteria and to consider that this is not the first time that this has happened. We’ve queried the service reasons for this and the equality of treatment on show. Continue reading Internal competitions – but for whom?
Language choice in EPSO competitions – beware the consequences of automatic translation
*16.11.2023, thanks to the colleague who confirmed that the disinformation/misinformation issue outlined in footnote 1 has since been fixed.* Original article: For some time already, EPSO is moving towards monolingualism: we are seeing competitions that are by-and-large English-only. This appears to completely disregard the 16.02.2023 outcome of the EPSO case where the Court of Justice confirmed the unlawfulness of artificially restricting the choice of the second language of competitions to 3 languages: English, French and German. Continue reading Language choice in EPSO competitions – beware the consequences of automatic translation
Breaking Barriers: AST/SC colleagues may change function group?
*Update 04.01.2024: The AST1 and 3 competitions which will be open to AST/SC colleagues originally promised for December is now for January. Follow all internal competitions here.* Original article: While we are thrilled to announce that our efforts have contributed to the announcement by DG HR, that in future, colleagues might have the opportunity to change function groups through internal competitions, it remains to be seen whether this inclusiveness is genuine or something which exists in theory only. The wording of the announcement is for movement ‘within each function group’ but it does also mention specialised competitions which might include a ‘wider mix of staff categories and function groups’; a measured success.
Continue reading Breaking Barriers: AST/SC colleagues may change function group?
MCQ and written tests: training
*Update 08.09.2023 EPSO intends to use automated proctoring.**Update 17.03.2023 Ombudsman opens inquiry into how EU staff recruitment test was carried out.* *Update 07.03.2023, here is the presentation.* Original article: Join us for some training in preparation for the forthcoming internal competitions multiple choice questions (MCQ) and written tests [1]. We will analyse all the key aspects. As regards the MCQ, we will see a study methodology, go through the lessons learnt from previous competitions, and recommend materials and topics to cover the knowledge you need. Continue reading MCQ and written tests: training
Guilty until proven innocent… and punished forever no matter the outcome!
*Update 27.08.2024: Check out the the 2023 IDOC report.*
Original article: The Investigation and Disciplinary Office of the Commission (IDOC) is the European Commission service responsible for “ensuring compliance by (former) officials and other agents with their obligations as laid down in the staff regulations by conducting administrative inquiries and disciplinary proceedings in a fair, transparent and timely manner.”
IDOC procedures can be quite lengthy and often last several years. This is especially so in the situation where you are prosecuted in a civil court for a situation unrelated to your work but where, in parallel and linked to that civil case, you may be placed under an IDOC investigation. Until your civil court case is finished, the internal IDOC procedure will be pending (no matter how long that takes). Continue reading Guilty until proven innocent… and punished forever no matter the outcome!
2022 internal competitions, where are we?
*Update 07.03.2023, the internal competition FAQs [*] are not explicit on whether it’s possible to modify the date/time of MCQ/written tests. We have asked for the page to be updated with this information but do note that the answer is unlikely to be a positive one. If you have more information, please send it to us! Future internal competitions will be listed here.* Here is our Article 90 template (version 2)[1] for anyone who was unable to change the order of their languages in sysper.
Against all the odds, the internal competitions are moving forward, which is a very pleasant surprise.
The organisers recently published an update of the indicative calendar for AD5, as well as some additional information (addendum/addenda) on the other competitions. Continue reading 2022 internal competitions, where are we?
