workplace bullying and harassment

Surrender your mobile phone, it’s an order!

Cyber-security, Data Protection, Newsletter-2026-02-26, well-being, Working conditions, workplace bullying and harassment Print This Post

As explained in our previous article, the Commission is drafting a Decision that requires all staff to provide their private mobile to be contacted during their rest time. 

Our article, published in September 2025 triggered comments from the administration, claiming that they would prove us wrong by providing updated information. No information was provided, but we still acknowledged what could seem like an intention to correct course by the administration, by informing you in October 2025 of a possible update on the situation.  Continue reading Surrender your mobile phone, it’s an order! →

Supporting Prevention and Respect at Work: Generation 2004 Met the Chief Confidential Counsellor

Health, Newsletter-2025-10-30, well-being, Working conditions, workplace bullying and harassment Print This Post

Generation 2004 recently met with the Chief Confidential Counsellor (CCC), the authority on the topic of workplace bullying and harassment, to explore how we can strengthen cooperation, increase visibility of the network of confidential counsellors, and further promote a genuine culture of bullying prevention and of mutual respect across the European Commission.  Appointed in September 2024, the Chief Confidential Counsellor leads a dedicated team of around twenty trained counsellors. Continue reading Supporting Prevention and Respect at Work: Generation 2004 Met the Chief Confidential Counsellor →

LUNCHTIME CONFERENCE WITH INSPIRING GUEST SPEAKER: COLLEAGUES HELPING COLLEAGUES – the Burnout Support Network

Events, Newsletter-2025-10-30, Training, well-being, workplace bullying and harassment Print This Post

*Update 30.10.2025: here is the recording and the contact slides. Thanks to the >270 colleagues who attended.

Original article: Do you feel constantly overwhelmed, deeply exhausted, scared to go in BURNOUT ? Maybe you are there already. Or just care for a friend, a colleague and want to help… Discover the Burnout Support Network with one of the co-founders. Continue reading LUNCHTIME CONFERENCE WITH INSPIRING GUEST SPEAKER: COLLEAGUES HELPING COLLEAGUES – the Burnout Support Network →

Commission doubles down: You don’t own your mobile phone any longer 

Cyber-security, Data Protection, Newsletter-2025-10-07, well-being, Working conditions, workplace bullying and harassment Print This Post

*Update 08.10.2025: the information below was correct at the time of publication. Subsequent (unpublished) changes might have made some parts obsolete: when we receive communication detailing the changes we’ll update this article.*

As explained in our event “Who owns your mobile phone?”, the Commission is not just setting a questionable example of unsuccessfully respecting staff privacy, it is doubling down on that choice and working on granting itself formal permission to commandeer your mobile phone. The Commission is in the process of drafting a formal decision. Continue reading Commission doubles down: You don’t own your mobile phone any longer  →

What Permanent Representation (should not) know about you? 

Data Protection, Newsletter-2025-07-08, Working conditions, workplace bullying and harassment Print This Post

*Update 25.09.2025 See related supervisory opinion on case 2023-1231.*

Remember our article of 25 September 2024, where we wrote about dubious and questionable (if not illegal) transfers of our personal data to the permanent representation of Member States by DG HR? One of our members, Rafal Stanecki took the matter further.
 Continue reading What Permanent Representation (should not) know about you?  →

UPDATE: It’s all about our rights!

Cyber-security, Data Protection, New HR strategy, Newsletter-2025-06-16, Working conditions, workplace bullying and harassment Print This Post

Update as of  12.05.2025 May 2025: some of you asked me for un updates for the case. A very good idea! The case T-108/24 (about the disciplinary sanction and the disciplinary procedure) was subject of a public hearing at the Tribunal  on 6.05.2025.
Continue reading UPDATE: It’s all about our rights! →

Lunchtime conference with inspiring guest speaker: Breaking the Silence – You Are Not Alone in the Struggle

Events, Health, Institutions, Newsletter-2025-05-08, well-being, Working conditions, workplace bullying and harassment Print This Post

Update 09.07.2025: a message from our guest speaker : ‘I wanted to share a few key insights that resonated with me following our session: “The less story I see, the more present I am.”  This simple truth captured the heart of our time together—how much we add to what we experience, and how liberating it can be to simply be’.  Recording and slides
Continue reading Lunchtime conference with inspiring guest speaker: Breaking the Silence – You Are Not Alone in the Struggle →

Assistants (ASTs) FAQs

Assistants, Certification, FAQs, Junior Professionals Programme, Newsletter - 2021-12-02, Newsletter-2025-02-28, Secretaries and clerks, Staff Regulations Reform, workplace bullying and harassment Print This Post

*Update 23.09.2025: It’s now official: 50 AST/SCs are to have the (mis)fortune of doing an AST post without the corresponding AST promotion speed or career potential.  Check the Draft 2026 Commission budget: ’50 posts in the function group AST may be occupied by officials and temporary staff in the AST/SC function group to reflect the gradual phase-in of the AST/SC function group.’ (p. 955, footnote 1). While the Commission as a whole is set to lose 24 posts, the AST function group is to lose 121 (leaving 4398 permanent staff). No other function group is to decrease in size.*

*Update 26.08.2025 the updated internal competitions time estimates are available under ‘planning’: please note some will take place SOONER than originally stated: don’t miss your chance!*

Continue reading Assistants (ASTs) FAQs →

Secretaries and Clerks (AST/SC) FAQs

Assistants, Certification, FAQs, Newsletter-2025-02-28, Secretaries and clerks, Staff Regulations Reform, workplace bullying and harassment Print This Post

*Update 23.09.2025: It’s now official: 50 AST/SCs are to have the (mis)fortune of doing an AST post without the corresponding AST promotion speed or career potential.  Check the Draft 2026 Commission budget: ’50 posts in the function group AST may be occupied by officials and temporary staff in the AST/SC function group to reflect the gradual phase-in of the AST/SC function group.’ (p. 955, footnote 1). While the Commission as a whole is set to lose 24 posts, the AST function group is to lose 121 (leaving 4398 permanent staff). No other function group is to decrease in size.*

*Update 26.08.2025 the updated internal competitions time estimates are available under ‘planning’: please note some will take place SOONER than originally stated: don’t miss your chance!*

Original article: We will add the presentation from our February 2025 event here and below you’ll find an extended version of a frequently asked questions (FAQs) based on the questions asked there. Continue reading Secretaries and Clerks (AST/SC) FAQs →

It’s all about our rights!

Cyber-security, Data Protection, New HR strategy, Newsletter - 2024-09-25, Working conditions, workplace bullying and harassment Print This Post

*Update 28.10.2024 we’ve added a status on the case(s) at the bottom of this article. Thank you all for your support!*

Original article: We start with a story[1]. There was once an EU Member State whose government was repeatedly named as a cause for concern with regards to its record on the rule of law (2020, European Parliament), the rights of women (2022, UN) and those of minorities (2022, Amnesty International) That government was also named as a cause of concern with regards to allegations of oppressing independent journalists and media freedom (2023, MFRR)[2]. Continue reading It’s all about our rights! →