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! →

Education allowances – Higher education

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Are you a parent navigating the complexities of higher education allowances for your dependent child? This informative session, organised by PMO, might be interesting for you.  It will focus on the various types of allowances available and the essential steps to complete the education declaration in Sysper for the 2024/25 academic year.
Continue reading Education allowances – Higher education →

Conference: transfer-out of pension rights

Events, Newsletter - 2024-09-25, Pensions Print This Post

*Update 03.10.2024 a transfer out to a PMO-approved scheme, such as the one presented by the (external) Allianz broker is only one of several options available.*

*Update 01.10.2024 full list of PMO-approved schemes added.* *Update 26.09.2024 footnote on local agents added below.* Continue reading Conference: transfer-out of pension rights →

Housing allowance in Luxembourg – where are we?

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*Update 23.01.2025 Luxembourg-based staff; check the email received Wendesday 22.01.2025 ‘Housing allowance // Allocation de logement’ for info. The decision is neither final nor public.  Luxembourg media announced a housing allowance in December 2024. We expect the final version to fall short of its stated intention of addressing the recruitment and retention of staff in Luxembourg (‘the Luxembourg attractivity problem‘).* Continue reading Housing allowance in Luxembourg – where are we? →

More clarity about the changes to the annual travel allowance 

allowances, Newsletter - 2024-07-16, place of origin, Working conditions Print This Post

*Update 16.09.2024 we have received no response to our May note as yet.*

Original article: In our May newsletter, we informed you about the changes to the annual travel payment following a recent judgement by the Court in case C‑567/22 P. Before the judgement and following the 2014 reform of the staff regulations, colleagues with a place of origin outside the EU had their place of origin moved fictionally to the capital city of the Member State of their EU nationality. Continue reading More clarity about the changes to the annual travel allowance  →

Upholding flexibility offered by Third-party option in Mobility.net  

Commission services, commuting, Environment, Luxembourg, Mobility and Climate, Newsletter - 2024-07-16, Professional mobility, Working conditions Print This Post

*Update 24.10.2024 We’re aware of OIB now accepting cross-border commuter passes reimbursement requests via myPMO, but Luxembourg-based colleagues are to use the same method as before.*

*Update 15.07.2024 Check out ‘A new tool for reimbursement’ in the Brussels Green Commuting Communication on MyIntracomm. It promises reimbursement of Brussels transport tickets without having to wait for them to expire. Have you managed to do this? Please let us know!*

Continue reading Upholding flexibility offered by Third-party option in Mobility.net   →

Ignored efforts: Unfair outcomes

diversity & inclusion, Equality, Newsletter - 2024-07-16, Promotions, Working conditions Print This Post

*Update 07.08.2024: answer from HR to our note.  Generation 2004 wrote to DG HR to point out a disparity in treatment faced by colleagues involved in the Selection Boards of Competitions. Those present on these boards represent either the staff representation or our own HR (‘the  administration’) and all of them invest a considerable time and effort.

Continue reading Ignored efforts: Unfair outcomes →

What happened to “Have your say”?

Commission services, Data Protection, Features, Newsletter - 2024-07-16, Staff forum Print This Post

Many of you have contacted us, asking about “Have your say”, which suddenly disappeared from the Commission’s internet, after it underwent a superficial “lift”. Either you liked to follow on various discussions, share your opinions, or even, for a stronger impact, launching a topic that was important to you. However, all of that is now gone.  

Continue reading What happened to “Have your say”? →

Social security fairness for non-permanent staff

Contract Agents, Newsletter - 2024-07-16, Temporary Agents, Working conditions Print This Post

***Update 30.07.2024 DG HR position on the payment of unemployment insurance by CAs on permanent (‘indeterminate duration’) contracts (3A)***
Generation2004 believes that the regulation governing social security contributions and pensions can be tricky, to say the least. Unlike officials, contract and temporary agents find themselves subject to additional deductions labelled as CCA ‘Unemployment insurance (personal contribution)’ code on their payslip, referring specifically to unemployment insurance Continue reading Social security fairness for non-permanent staff →