We all agree that our colleagues deserve to have the most up-to-date information on the COVID-19 situation and on how our return to the office will look like. The administration reassured us that in Brussels we would not start returning to the office before 25 May 2020. Unfortunately, no dates were given for the return in the remaining European Commission (EC) sites, EC Representations or EU Delegations, in which the situation may vary from country to country.

The Commission’s action plan for the gradual return to the office was the topic of discussion for Tuesday’s (27 April 2020) sixth social dialogue coronavirus meeting with DG HR. It outlines four phases for a gradual return to our desks:

• Phase 0 – Teleworking as a rule – current state of play
• Phase 1 – A careful first lifting of confinement – voluntary shift work in the office but teleworking is still encouraged
• Phase 2 – Progressive deconfinement – shift work as a rule with flexibility on teleworking arrangements
• Phase 3 – A ‘new normal’ – general deconfinement.

While ‘Operation Return’ lists what has to happen, in which order and how, it does not yet provide the when: there are no dates in this first version of the action plan since progress (and possible regress) depends upon a number of inputs:

• the actions of host Member States,
• the recommendations of the European Centre for Diseases Prevention and Control (ECDC),
• DG SANTE,
• WHO,
• the Commission medical service,
• DG HR and
• the Secretariat General

For the same reason, it is acknowledged that Commission sites may progress through the set phases at different speed.

It is Commissioner Hahn, in agreement with the President Von der Leyen (and after having consulted the Secretary General) who will make the decision on when and whether to move phase (forward or back) and the staff should be informed by DG HR.

Colleagues in any of the following circumstances are treated as special cases. They should therefore check with the medical service and/or their line manager before returning to the office:

• Those with an underlying health condition or that live in a household with a person with a condition increasing the risk of adverse consequences of COVID-19.
• Those whose children are not yet fully back at school/kindergarten (i.e. functions in shifts or has reduced opening hours).
• Those confirmed or suspected of having the virus (self-quarantine).

So, in summary, the Commission is seeking volunteers to be ready for the move to Phase 1, when the ‘Host Member State moves away from full confinement while maintaining social distancing and gradually reopens facilities i.e. schools’. These volunteers will be divided into two teams and alternate between working from home and at the office. Moving to Phase 1 will however not happen at the same time, taking into account the specific conditions and requirements in delegations, representations and other EC sites. We already know that in Belgium this will happen much later than the 4 May, as planned by the national authorities. One of the possible dates to move to the Phase 1 mentioned was 18 May and the European schools could reopen on 25 May.  Moreover, in Ispra and Seville, we still do not have anything concrete announced. The situation will be completely different in each site depending on the spread of the virus.

At Phase 2 the alternating workplace will no longer be voluntary. However, special circumstances will apply to staff with existing health conditions, living with a person at risk, children whose schools/kindergarten are closed/restricted or to colleagues in self-quarantine.

Finally, at Phase 3 we will have completed ‘Operation Return’ and be living a ‘new normal’. A situation that might never be the same as before. Many changes will happen with justified reasons due to special circumstances.

It is good to have a plan for phasing out the confinement. Nevertheless, a timeline, even preliminary and subject to a possible revision, depending on the latest developments and recommendations of national authorities, would be reassuring for the colleagues. Generation 2004 is of the opinion that the Commission should go a mile further than national authorities go, and put the health of our colleagues and their families at the heart of the ‘Return strategy’. At the end of the day, given the nature of its activities, the Commission is a very large employer with many social contacts stretching around the globe. Thus, looking at the full picture and acting sensibly would make more sense than risking falling back to Phase 0 and restarting this painful exercise.

For more information please read our other articles on COVID-19.

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