workplace bullying and harassment

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 Subsequent (unpublished) changes might have made some parts obsolete: when we receive communication detailing the changes we’ll update this article.*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! →

TAXUD’s Alarming Decline in Staff Well-being: A Call for Immediate Action

Health, Newsletter – 2024-04-29, Social Dialogue, Surveys, workplace bullying and harassment Print This Post

*Update 06.06.2024: our efforts have paid off.*
The recently published 2023 staff survey results paint a bleak picture of the state of affairs within DG Taxation and Customs Union (TAXUD), particularly concerning the prevention of psychological harassment (‘bullying’ or ‘mobbing’) and sexual harassment. Continue reading TAXUD’s Alarming Decline in Staff Well-being: A Call for Immediate Action →

Harassment package: next steps

Newsletter - 2023-07-20, workplace bullying and harassment Print This Post

*Update 27.05.2024 EU Whosiwho still lists the Chief Confidential Counsellor role as empty. Also, check out these videos How to tell if you’re being bullied at work? and Workplace bullying. There is also another support network available., in addition to the Harassment Watch Network.*

Original article:  We provide an update on the new anti-harassment package. We had a political consultation with Commissioner Hahn on 12.07.2023, concluding the series of the social dialogue meetings (started January 2023 [1]) to draft the new decision on the prevention of and fight against psychological[2] and sexual harassment. This last meeting underlined the political will and the commitment to make a difference regarding the anti-harassment package, which text of which will now be submitted for decision. Continue reading Harassment package: next steps →