Staff Categories

Longer and sustainable careers for contracts agents 

Contract Agents, Equality, Newsletter - 2024-10-28, Promotions, reclassification, Staff Categories, Temporary Agents, Working conditions

*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 ‘While the recruitment of temporary staff has proven an effective and flexible way to deal with the shortage of successful candidates on EPSO reserve lists, it carries some risks for business continuity and knowledge management, and as such cannot be a viable long-term solution‘ (Paragraph 100)*

Continue reading Longer and sustainable careers for contracts agents  →

End of service: IT access

allowances, Contract Agents, Newsletter - 2024-11-15, Pensions, PMO, Services, Temporary Agents, Working conditions

This topic came out of our October sessions on pensions but the information is applicable to anyone leaving the Commission whether that’s at the end of a contract, to retire or for several other reasons. According to your circumstances, you might need access to the IT systems  to submit medical costs, to get certificates or to manage the EU unemployment allowance[1]. Continue reading End of service: IT access →

Certification 2024/25: and so it begins!

Assistants, Certification, Newsletter - 2024-10-28

*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 2024/25: and so it begins! →

JRC event: pension rights

Contract Agents, Events, Karlsruhe, Newsletter - 2024-10-28, Pensions, Temporary Agents

*** Update: You can find the presentation of the conference here. ***

Generation 2004 would like to invite you to a conference for staff in JRCs sites  dedicated to the topic:  ‘Everything you always wanted to know about Pensions rights’.

This conference will follow the regular Lunchtime conference on Pensions Transfer Out, the two events are independent, but together will give a wide overlook on Pensions rights in the European Commission. Continue reading JRC event: pension rights →

Unemployment fund in top shape: Will non-permanent staff contributions decrease?

Contract Agents, Newsletter - 2024-09-25, Temporary Agents

*Update 12.03.2025 refusing a contract renewal is counted as resigning, this is not new, but the information could be made clearer.*

*Update 06.02.2025 It happened! Lower unemployment contribution rate for Contract and Temporary Agents. Thanks to those who brought this to our attention and check your February payslip code CCA. Look what we can achieve together!*

Original article: Did you know that every 2 years the Commission is expected to present a report on the financial situation of the EU unemployment insurance scheme? The last one issued in February 2024 covers the period between 2017 and 2022. You might find it interesting…  Continue reading Unemployment fund in top shape: Will non-permanent staff contributions decrease? →

Reinforcing mobility for contract agents 

Agencies, Contract Agents, Cost of living Luxembourg, Newsletter - 2024-09-25, Professional mobility, Promotions, reclassification, Vacancy, Working conditions

*Update 17.06.2025: reply from DG HR to our note. 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! 

Continue reading Reinforcing mobility for contract agents  →

Social security fairness for non-permanent staff

Contract Agents, Newsletter - 2024-07-16, Temporary Agents, Working conditions

***Update 30.07.2024 DG HR position on the payment of unemployment insurance by CAs on permanent (‘indeterminate duration’) contracts (3A)***
Generation2004 believes that the regulation governing social security contributions and pensions can be tricky, to say the least. Unlike officials, contract and temporary agents find themselves subject to additional deductions labelled as CCA ‘Unemployment insurance (personal contribution)’ code on their payslip, referring specifically to unemployment insurance Continue reading Social security fairness for non-permanent staff →

Securing pensions for Contract & Temporary Agents during unemployment

allowances, Contract Agents, Newsletter - 2024-07-16, Pensions, Temporary Agents

*Update 12.03.2025 refusing a contract renewal is counted as resigning, this is not new, but the information could be made clearer.*

Original article: Your Contract Agent CA3B (or a different non-permanent) contract at the European Commission has ended. Despite your determination to continue contributing to the EU project, you can no longer work directly for the Commission (e.g. you have reached six years as CA3B).  You can work for another institution or for the Commission,  but on a different contract than CA3B.

Continue reading Securing pensions for Contract & Temporary Agents during unemployment →

Training offer for EPSO Competitions

Administrators, Newsletter - 2024-07-16, Training

* Update 04.02.2025, Training closed. * Generation 2004, in collaboration with Yasemos Europeos, is happy to offer you online training for EPSO competitions with a special discount rate for our members.  The offer includes modules on Self-study Multiple Choice Questionnaires (MCQ) and reasoning Computer Based Tests (CBT).  All training modules will be in English.

Continue reading Training offer for EPSO Competitions →

Empowering contract agents: Generation 2004 calls for amendments to 7- year rule

Contract Agents, Newsletter - 2024-07-16, Temporary Agents, Working conditions

We would like to inform you that following your numerous and regular questions concerning the 7-year rule (originally 6-year rule)[1] which applies to Contract Agents (CA) 3B, we submitted an official note (see under References) to the administration requesting clarification on its application and ultimately the extension of the 7-year rule by 3 additional years.  The rationale behind this request is clear, but we know that 10 years is generally avoided since this is the threshold for entitlement to an EU pension.

Continue reading Empowering contract agents: Generation 2004 calls for amendments to 7- year rule →