The current General Implementing Provisions (GIPs) – C(2017)6760 governing the working conditions of Contract Agents (CAs) have been in place since 2017. While these provisions contributed to better alignment of rules between CAs (3a and 3b), they still reflect some systemic inequalities faced by contract staff, who remain the most undervalued and exploited staff category. Continue reading Revisiting GIPS: a route for better conditions for contract agents
Equality
Time for change: out-of-date restrictions on assisted fertility?
Let the European Institutions lead the way forward, not hold us back with outdated rules. In a world where medical science is advancing rapidly and professional careers increasingly shape personal timelines, the EU institutions and their Joint Sickness Insurance Scheme (JSIS) must ensure policies keep pace with technical and societal advances and follow the best practices seen in Member States. Commission Decision C(2023) 7673, updates its 2007 predecessor in order to broaden access to parenthood, but does it go far enough? Continue reading Time for change: out-of-date restrictions on assisted fertility?
Breaking news: You can now combine parental leave with TWA
*Update 26.08.2025 here’s the new link with instructions on how to encode those TWA days, note that even Blue Book trainees can have 5 days.*
Original article: Generation 2004 is glad to announce that from now on, you can combine any type of leave – including parental leave – with teleworking from outside the place of employment, or teleworking from anywhere (TWA). We particularly thank Mr Quest, the Director-General of HR for his positive reply to our long-standing request
Continue reading Breaking news: You can now combine parental leave with TWA
Marriage or Partnership? When EU Law Falls Behind Member States
*Update 02.07.2025 we have corrected several points in the article below and apologise for any confusion caused.*
Original article: Have you ever wondered why, in a progressive and inclusive European Union, your registered partnership – fully recognised by your region or Member State as equivalent to marriage – may still be treated as ‘less than’ by the EU institutions’ social security systems?
Continue reading Marriage or Partnership? When EU Law Falls Behind Member States
Child Allowance and Scholarships – When the Commission gets tangled up in its own bureaucracy
Staff members with dependent children receive a household allowance, a dependent child allowance and, under certain conditions, an education allowance. For adult children between the ages of 18 and 26, the continued payment of these allowances and further tax reductions are subject to the adult child receiving educational or vocational training. Continue reading Child Allowance and Scholarships – When the Commission gets tangled up in its own bureaucracy
Job Mobility for Contract Agent 3a Staff in Offices: From Better Visibility to Real Opportunities
Assessing the current situation. Despite existing frameworks for job mobility (as discussed in a previous article), the experience of Contract Agents (CA) under Article 3a of CEOS, particularly those working in the Commission’s Offices[*], reveals persistent structural shortcomings.
Continue reading Job Mobility for Contract Agent 3a Staff in Offices: From Better Visibility to Real Opportunities
Mid-grade AD promotion? Only if you are a people manager
As the promotion season is now once again upon us, there are no doubt many of you who are expecting “on-time” promotions for your efforts over the last few years[*]. The bad news for those of you non-managers in ‘middle management‘ grades AD9 to AD11 is that when the DG lists come out in June you might be disappointed.
Continue reading Mid-grade AD promotion? Only if you are a people manager
EEAS: Rethinking Local Agent Contract Policies in EU Delegations
I
n recent discussions and at the last Plenary of the Staff Representation (CLP-HU), the administration of European External Action Service (EEAS) has presented as a possibility changes to the employment contracts of Local Agents (LAs) in EU Delegations, suggesting the adoption of limited-duration contracts, such as 1+1+1 years format. Continue reading EEAS: Rethinking Local Agent Contract Policies in EU Delegations
Internal & External Competitions – Contesting the Results : Conference
*Update 06.10.2025 the court case querying the legality of nationality-specific competitions is ongoing.*
*Update 26.08.2025 the updated time estimates are available under ‘planning’: please note some will take place SOONER than originally stated: don’t miss your chance!*
Original article: We have received an overwhelming number of complaints from colleagues about serious irregularities in recent internal and external competitions: technical failures of the testing platform, problems with the Single Candidate Portal, and questionable content in the knowledge tests based on non-official sources such as the Draghi Report.
Continue reading Internal & External Competitions – Contesting the Results : Conference
Urgent Call for Reform in European Schools
On 25 March 2025, Generation 2004 External Action Service (EEAS) section hosted a conference addressing the pressing challenges within the European Schools (ESS) system. The event witnessed robust participation, with a full room of colleagues and approximately 30-35 online attendees from the EEAS and the European Commission, all deeply engaged in discussions about the future of our children’s education. Continue reading Urgent Call for Reform in European Schools
