Welcome to the Generation 2004 Newsletter of 8 July 2022.
Check our holiday checklist [1] before leaving the office: it’s important to disconnect! For those of you with a little more time, we address the needs of cancer survivors and of all colleagues whose complex situations are not well covered by the current patchwork of rules [2]. We also recommend there that any new absence/sickness management decision be linked to the anticipated anti-harassment decision. On the topic of harassment/bullying, check out the results of the HR March 2021 (yes, that year is correct) survey (the one with the optional section on harassment) now available under Reports/metrics [3].
In terms of falling between the cracks of any Commission rules (in any sphere) we would love to hear your stories: we plan to publish them (without identifying features) in our new ‘it happened to me [4]’ column. Disappointingly, we don’t have to look far for examples of unfortunate situations. One is that of some of our Local Agent colleagues who have lost acquired rights with the new contract [5], in spite of assurances. Similarly, some colleagues are to be moved to a non-EU Commission building in a less secure neighbourhood of Brussels (some of these colleagues were moved from Luxembourg (Chafea), specifically to be geographically close to their colleagues!) sign our petition to show them you care [6]!
In the absence of Commission-wide guidelines, DGs and agencies are doing their own thing in applying the working-time decision. Local Agent (LA) colleagues in Delegations take a critical look at their new hybrid working rules [7], will the promised flexibility become reality? We ask you all to tell us what you think of the new rules on working time and hybrid working [8]. While the EEAS has a different timetable and will publish its Contract Agent reclassification list in July [9], the promotion/reclassification appeal deadlines are extended throughout the Commission for anyone who is out of the office: if this affects you, check out our instructions [10]. Generation 2004 is also offering training for the internal competitions: join us for the free webinar [11]! Just in time for the school holidays we look at the debate on the future of the Brussels European schools [12] and ask you to please sign our corresponding petition to show your support!
That’s it now for now! Enjoy the reading and get in touch [13] if you believe we can help!