*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 Event: certification – mission (nearly) impossible
Staff Categories
Breaking Barriers: AST/SC colleagues may change function group?
*Update 26.08.2025 the updated time estimates for internal competitions are available under ‘planning’: please note some will take place SOONER than originally stated: don’t miss your chance!*
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?
Your career matters to us – Answer the Survey & help us help you!
Are you an assistant (AST), secretary/clerk (AST/SC)[1], Contract Agent (CA) or Temporary agent (TA)?
As the representative body for all staff, it is our mission to ensure that you have the information you need to make informed choices and to ensure that your expertise, roles, and opportunities for growth are recognised and valued in a fair and equitable manner.
Continue reading Your career matters to us – Answer the Survey & help us help you!
One more pension pitfall, or how the Commission fails to keep up
*Update 20.11.2024 We add this cross reference in relation to questions received. Even though the PSEUI does not recognise pension contributions ‘gifted’ by national schemes, it deals with non-work-related pension contributions made to its own system differently: see question 4 General pension FAQs*
Original article: It’s been some time now (in many cases decades) since it became possible to have pension contributions made on your behalf in many Member States while you are not working. These ‘gifted’ contributions might cover periods of long-term sickness, of unemployment, military service[1] or of caring responsibilities, depending on the national authority. Continue reading One more pension pitfall, or how the Commission fails to keep up
Lunchtime conference – 20-09-2023
Generation 2004 held a lunchtime conference on the 20th of September.
You can find the PowerPoint presentation here.
We gave a short update on the below matters.
Walking away when things go wrong? Sudan
*Update 17.04.2024 Disappointingly, we have not yet received a response to our August 2023 note. We are following up with those responsible.*
Original article: The situation in Sudan is undoubtedly difficult, with the ongoing conflict affecting the lives and well-being of the population. Our local agent (LA) colleagues in the delegation there are Continue reading Walking away when things go wrong? Sudan
Interim staff at the Commission: FAQs
*Update 04.06.2025, we love the recent linkedin video posted by a former Blue Book trainee on the intérimaire experience.*
Original article: Here are some Generation 2004 frequently asked questions (FAQs)[1] and sources on interims, those temporary colleagues who are often expected to be up to speed and functional within a very short space of time. This can often translate in real life as being ‘thrown in at the deep end’ and expected to ‘hit the ground running’ without much information about how things really work. Continue reading Interim staff at the Commission: FAQs
Making informed decisions: Luxembourg
*Update 24.10.2025, while the compliance with the national minimum wage has improved, EU institutions are still doing it differently meaning that those in the Commission might still get less than their counterparts elsewhere. We’d like to see the rules to converge where these, some of the lowest-paid staff, get the most.*
Original article: Have you considered that your competition may include roles in Luxembourg? Continue reading Making informed decisions: Luxembourg
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
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
