Breaking Barriers: AST/SC colleagues may change function group?

Assistants, Brussels, EPSO, Newsletter - 2023-10-10, Professional mobility, Promotions, Secretaries and clerks, Staff Categories

*Update 26.08.2025 the updated time estimates for internal competitions are available under ‘planning’: please note some will take place SOONER than originally stated: don’t miss your chance!*

Original article: While we are thrilled to announce that our efforts have contributed to the announcement by DG HR, that in future, colleagues might have the opportunity to change function groups through internal competitions, it remains to be seen whether this inclusiveness is genuine or something which exists in theory only.  The wording of the announcement is for movement ‘within each function group’ but it does also mention specialised competitions which might include a ‘wider mix of staff categories and function groups’; a measured success.

Continue reading Breaking Barriers: AST/SC colleagues may change function group? →

Your career matters to us – Answer the Survey & help us help you!

Assistants, Contract Agents, Newsletter - 2023-10-10, Secretaries and clerks, Temporary Agents, Working conditions

Are you an assistant (AST), secretary/clerk (AST/SC)[1], Contract Agent (CA) or Temporary agent (TA)?
As the representative body for all staff, it is our mission to ensure that you have the information you need to make informed choices and to ensure that your expertise, roles, and opportunities for growth are recognised and valued in a fair and equitable manner. 

Continue reading Your career matters to us – Answer the Survey & help us help you! →

5 more days for parents, with a catch …

Childcare, Health, Newsletter - 2023-10-10, Working conditions

*Update 26.09.2024: we’re still unable to find any mention of these 5 additional days on staff matters, they don’t appear to be available via sysyper either. We’ve asked staff contact for info and we’ll share it with you here.*

Original article: In November 2022 Generation 2004 asked the Commission to match the updated paternity-leave provision from Belgium: 20 days of paternity leave[1], instead of the current 10. Continue reading 5 more days for parents, with a catch … →

One more pension pitfall, or how the Commission fails to keep up

Administrators, Assistants, Contract Agents, Newsletter - 2023-10-10, Pensions, Secretaries and clerks, Temporary Agents

*Update 20.11.2024 We add this cross reference in relation to questions received. Even though the PSEUI does not recognise pension contributions ‘gifted’ by national schemes, it deals with non-work-related pension contributions made to its own system differently: see question 4 General pension FAQs*

Original article: It’s been some time now (in many cases decades) since it became possible to have pension contributions made on your behalf in many Member States while you are not working. These ‘gifted’ contributions might cover periods of long-term sickness, of unemployment, military service[1] or of caring responsibilities, depending on the national authority. Continue reading One more pension pitfall, or how the Commission fails to keep up →

Grange childcare follow up

building closures, Childcare, Commission services, Local Staff Committee, Newsletter - 2023-10-10, OIB, Social Dialogue

*Update 06.12.2023: here are building closures and alternatives in Brussels, but we don’t (yet) see equivalent information for other places of work e.g. Grange or Luxembourg. Remember you have the right to work from the office 100% if you so wish (and you are prepared for the temperatures there).* Continue reading Grange childcare follow up →

New webinars on MCQ and CBT

Events, Newsletter - 2023-09-08, Training

*Update 08.09.2023 EPSO intends to use automated proctoring we are concerned at the prospect of retrospective elimination.* Original article: To assist you in preparing for ongoing and future competitions, Generation 2004, in collaboration with Ya Semos Europeos, is offering free online webinars on multiple choice questions (MCQ) and computer-based tests (CBT).

These webinars will provide you with valuable tips and tricks for both types of assessments.

Please note that all seminars will be conducted in English. Continue reading New webinars on MCQ and CBT →

End of the solidarity levy?

New HR strategy, Newsletter - 2023-09-08, Social Dialogue, solidarity levy, Working conditions

Every once in a while, and with increasing frequency in the run-up to its stated end date, we here at Generation 2004 receive a request for clarification about the solidarity levy. This ostensibly temporary measure is 6% of the basic salary (but 7% for those in AD15(2) and above: here are the salary scales for your to check that impact).  

Continue reading End of the solidarity levy? →

Walking away when things go wrong? Sudan

Local Agents, Newsletter - 2023-09-08, Outside the Union

*Update 17.04.2024 Disappointingly, we have not yet received a response to our August 2023 note. We are following up with those responsible.*

Original article: The situation in Sudan is undoubtedly difficult, with the ongoing conflict affecting the lives and well-being of the population. Our local agent (LA) colleagues in the delegation there are Continue reading Walking away when things go wrong? Sudan →

Grange childcare: loss of trust!

additional teleworking costs, Brussels, building closures, Childcare, Commission services, Local Staff Committee, New HR strategy, Newsletter - 2023-09-08, OIB, Social Dialogue, Working conditions

The European Commission has many sites, some bigger ones, like Brussels, Luxembourg and Ispra, some smaller ones like the smaller JRC sites (Karlsruhe, Geel, Seville) or the satellite site in Grange, Ireland (technically part of Brussels) – home to directorate F (‘Health and food audits and analysis’) of DG SANTE and some colleagues from DGT – not to forget the support staff from the different Offices. Continue reading Grange childcare: loss of trust! →