Equality

Breaking news: You can now combine parental leave with TWA 

diversity & inclusion, Equality, Leave, Newsletter-2025-07-08, Teleworking, teleworking from anywhere, Working conditions

*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

allowances, diversity & inclusion, EEAS, Equality, Newsletter-2025-07-08, Staff Regulations Reform

*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 

allowances, Equality, Health, Newsletter-2025-06-16

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

Contract Agents, Equality, Newsletter-2025-06-16, OIB, PMO, Professional mobility, Staff Categories, Working conditions

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

Administrators, Equality, Newsletter-2025-05-08, Promotions, Staff Categories, Working conditions

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

Contract Agents, EEAS, Equality, Institutions, Local Agents, Newsletter-2025-05-08, Staff Categories, Working conditions

In 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

diversity & inclusion, EPSO, Equality, Events, Internal Competitions, Newsletter-2025-05-08, Training

*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

Education, EEAS, Equality, European Schools, Newsletter-2025-03-26, well-being

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 →

Upcoming Conference: Challenges in European Schools – 25 March 2025

diversity & inclusion, Education, EEAS, Equality, European Schools, Events, Training

*Upddate 26.03.2025 please check our summary of this event.*

Original article: Are you concerned about the European Schools system and the challenges it presents for families? Join Generation 2004 – EEAS Section on 25 March (12:30–13:30, hybrid format) for an open discussion on key issues, including long commuting times, teacher shortages, high costs, limited language choice, and inadequate psychological support.
Continue reading Upcoming Conference: Challenges in European Schools – 25 March 2025 →

EEAS: The Future of Local Agents in EU Delegations: A Growing Concern for Stability and Institutional Credibility

EEAS, Equality, Local Agents, Newsletter-2025-03-26, Staff Categories, Working conditions

In recent months, a significant shift has been observed in the policy regarding the employment contracts of local agents working in over 140 EU Delegations worldwide. Generation 2004 observes that these colleagues, who have long played a crucial role in ensuring the smooth functioning of EU external representation, are now facing a precarious professional situation:
Continue reading EEAS: The Future of Local Agents in EU Delegations: A Growing Concern for Stability and Institutional Credibility →