Teleworking and Wellbeing: Time to put Human Care First!

*Update 26.08.2025 here’s the new link with instructions on how to encode those TWA days, note that even Blue Book trainees can have 5 days.*

Original article: Since 2020, Generation 2024 has been advocating for more flexible rules on teleworking, both from the place of employment and from everywhere.  At the end of 2023, during the review of the Decision on Working Time and Hybrid Working (WTHW), the administration missed a key opportunity to sit at the table with the staff representatives to analyse results and negotiate some final modifications to the decision to address the issues that remained outstanding, such as the additional costs of working from home.  Continue reading Teleworking and Wellbeing: Time to put Human Care First!

EEAS: The Future of Housing in EU Delegations: A Call for Fair and Transparent Reform    

The housing policy for EU Delegations has long been a critical element in ensuring the efficiency, well-being, and security of staff posted to more than 144 locations across the globe. However, recent discussions about a potential reform of the housing policy have raised serious concerns among colleagues, particularly regarding the motivations behind this review and its potential impact on staff morale, effectiveness, and living conditions.  Continue reading EEAS: The Future of Housing in EU Delegations: A Call for Fair and Transparent Reform    

The Frosty Chronicles: Navigating the EU Institution’s Subzero Realities

As winter descended, so does the new norm for EU staff:  embracing the glacial reality of a target of 19°C in Brussels workspaces (a balmy 20°C in Luxembourg), leaving many buildings well below those targets. HR sources cite national law of host Member State of EU institutions for this limit, suggesting that they would lower the temperatures further if the law allowed it. For those of you not in the loop, this provision ensures that public buildings toe the line in terms of energy-use reductions (‘efficiency’). But while the thermostat complies, it’s the staff who shiver. Jackets, scarves, and an abundance of hot tea have become unofficial office attire and tools of survival. Continue reading The Frosty Chronicles: Navigating the EU Institution’s Subzero Realities

10 Postulates for fairness – A better future for Contract Agents

Generation 2004 has been at the forefront of advocating for Contract Agents, consistently pushing for fairer employment conditions, better career prospects, and greater recognition of their contributions. Over the years, we have actively engaged with the administration, raising awareness of the systemic challenges contract agents face: barriers to career advancement, limited access to internal competitions, unfair contractual terms, and restricted mobility within the institution.   Continue reading 10 Postulates for fairness – A better future for Contract Agents

Good news for Contract and Temporary Agents ! 

As Generation 2004 suggested Contract and Temporary agents will get a positive surprise in their February salary slip. Their unemployment contribution rate will drop down from 0.81% to 0.51%. This applies to EU institutions and bodies.    This is not the result of some mysterious superpower of Generation 2004. Continue reading Good news for Contract and Temporary Agents ! 

Special leave for parents’ representatives in European Schools

Parents’ representatives devote a considerable amount of time for the benefit of the European Schools in general and our children in particular, covering aspects that do not require continuous intervention of parents in national schools (e.g. transport, canteen, representation in the Education Council and in the coordination bodies…).   Continue reading Special leave for parents’ representatives in European Schools

Brussels European Schools: locally recruited teachers on strike 

Generation 2004 has sadly learned that locally recruited teachers plan a series of partial strikes at several dates in February, including a march to the Office of the Secretary General. If their demands are not met they plan an all day strike on 1st April.  While we realise the negative impact to parents and children of this action, we can only sympathize with these teachers, who find themselves in a legal void making their jobs and lives a constant struggle. Continue reading Brussels European Schools: locally recruited teachers on strike 

Locally Recruited Teachers in European Schools: A Forgotten Workforce? 

The Backbone of European Schools—Without the Rights.  Locally Recruited Teachers (LRTs) play a vital role in the European Schools, ensuring high-quality education for thousands of children. Yet, despite their significant contributions, they face unstable working conditions, unfair contract terms, and a lack of representationchallenges that have been ignored for far too long.  Continue reading Locally Recruited Teachers in European Schools: A Forgotten Workforce? 

Brave new world at the Commission: the day the staff representation was abolished

I wake up and it is just another ordinary day. I prepare breakfast and get my child ready. Then head to the crèche before going to the office.  But to my great surprise, the crèche is closed. Nobody seems to be around. When I finally spot someone I know, I ask what is going on. Maybe a strike? “Not really. Weren’t you informed? Continue reading Brave new world at the Commission: the day the staff representation was abolished

Where Has All the Money Gone?

As Generation 2004, we have always stood for fairness, transparency, and the well-being of staff. Today, we must address the grim reality of the European Commission’s cost-saving measures and the devastating impact they have had on staff members and the workplace environment. Billions have been saved, but at what cost?

Continue reading Where Has All the Money Gone?