Teleworking

Do you want to be able to telework from outside your place of employment?

New HR strategy, Newsletter - 2020-10-23, Newsletter - 2020-11-19, Staff Regulations Reform, Teleworking Print This Post

You have shown that teleworking is possible, but do you want more of it and are you being consulted? [1]

Article 20 of the staff regulations stipulates that ‘An official shall reside either in the place where he is employed or at no greater distance therefrom as is compatible with the proper performance of his duties. The official shall notify the Appointing Authority of his address and inform it immediately of any change of address.’

Therefore, the outcome of any future teleworking decisions might affect us all. These choices could  impact everything from the multiannual financial framework (MFF) to the European Green Deal, to all 6 pillars of the new HR strategy to the money you take home every month: the 16 % expatriation allowance / 4% foreign residence allowance and potentially the coefficient (if any) that applies to your salary.   Continue reading Do you want to be able to telework from outside your place of employment? →

COVID-19: Return to office put on hold

COVID-19, Newsletter - 2020-10-07, return to the office-new normal, Teleworking Print This Post

Generation 2004 continues to closely monitor the developments related to the COVID-19 pandemic and its effects on our institution and our working conditions. In the last two weeks we have had two meetings with DG HR to discuss all the issues related to the pandemic and the way forward. Generation 2004 stated that the return should only happen when the pandemic situation improved: when there was a lower possibility of contagion. Continue reading COVID-19: Return to office put on hold →

New teleworking guidelines and teleworking from abroad: here we go again!

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In our July newsletter we informed you of our actions to guarantee fair and consistent application of the new teleworking guidelines throughout the Commission, especially as regards the possibility of 2 weeks of teleworking from outside the place of employment [1].

We wrote a note to DG FISMA concerning their overly strict interpretation of the rules, and received a positive reply to our request.

However, we decided to ask for your feedback – both in that article and through an email sent to all our members – on the procedures in place where you are and on the outcome of your request.

As a result, we were flooded with messages stressing the very different procedures and layers of approvals necessary to be granted these 2 weeks of teleworking in different DGs and different parts and sites of the Commission. Continue reading New teleworking guidelines and teleworking from abroad: here we go again! →

Summer teleworking from abroad at DG FISMA

COVID-19, Newsletter - 2020-07-03, Teleworking Print This Post

Following Generation 2004’s constructive note to Mr John BERRIGAN, Director-General of DG FISMA, on a too strict interpretation of the DG HR rule allowing teleworking from your “home country” during the summer period , we are glad to inform that DG FISMA has decided to change its position, something we very much appreciated.

In a message recently circulated to FISMA’s staff, a restriction not intended by the general DG HR policy was introduced: Continue reading Summer teleworking from abroad at DG FISMA →

Watch out! Updated teleworking guidelines coming on 22 June

COVID-19, Newsletter - 2020-06-17, Teleworking Print This Post

Teleworking Guidelines 4.2.2021 are now available.

Updated Commission teleworking guidelines (replacing the previous version of these rules) were announced by DG HR on 16 June in the  Communication to Commission staff – Update 15 and come into force from Monday 22 June 2020. The guidelines document is published in the MyIntracomm Coronavirus and COVID-19 News & Helpdesk page. Continue reading Watch out! Updated teleworking guidelines coming on 22 June →

Covid-19 – new teleworking guidelines and reimbursements of necessary costs

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Teleworking Guidelines 4.2.2021 are now available.

The Commission has published updated teleworking guidelines  which first entered into force on 25 May 2020: the first day of phase 1 of the deconfinement. We summarise the most important points in this article. Please take the time to read the guidelines carefully. Different sites will have different timelines, subject to the situation on the ground and the measures taken by the host country. Continue reading Covid-19 – new teleworking guidelines and reimbursements of necessary costs →

Sign the petition on a coronavirus special leave for parents with children

Childcare, COVID-19, Newsletter - 2020-05-05, Teleworking Print This Post

After receiving complaints from many colleagues, Generation 2004 decided to launch a petition to pressure the Commission to help colleagues who have to telework and, at the same time, educate and take care of young children. This situation puts additional stress on families and is not sustainable for longer period. Continue reading Sign the petition on a coronavirus special leave for parents with children →

Teleworkers need help

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Mandatory teleworking has become the rule for thousands of colleagues in the Commission and it is likely to remain so for weeks if not months to come. Generation 2004 fully supports this measure in the interest of public health and the protection of staff, but we are also concerned that the measure may place a disproportionate burden on some staff. Continue reading Teleworkers need help →

Current exceptional guidelines on teleworking

COVID-19, Newsletter - 2020-04-16, Teleworking, Working conditions Print This Post

Teleworking Guidelines 4.2.2021 are now available.

The Commission has sent the vast majority of colleagues home to telework, following the Guidelines on teleworking in Commission departments during the Covid-19 pandemic and their subsequent update. In this article, we explain these guidelines – however, please do invest the time to read the guidelines yourself! It is not necessary to read the first version as the update replaces it completely as of 1 April 2020. The explanations below uses the updated guidelines as their base. Continue reading Current exceptional guidelines on teleworking →

How to cope with work, handle challenges at home while maintaining good health?

COVID-19, Health, Newsletter #40 - Apr 2020, return to the office-new normal, Teleworking, Working conditions Print This Post

Due to the coronavirus, we were forced to adjust our lives and the way of living. Some of you might find it challenging as you work from home for the first time. Many colleagues usually opt out of teleworking, as they would not feel the pressure to complete their tasks or perhaps they need the social aspect.  We found some interesting tips for you.  Continue reading How to cope with work, handle challenges at home while maintaining good health? →