*Update 19.02.2025: ‘By default, all [internal] competitions will be cross-category.’ (Stay tuned: A new approach for internal competitions) This is excellent news and should now put the Commission on an even footing with the Parliament and other EU institutions. We hope that this inclusion is genuine and that the competitions are not otherwise skewed to reduce participation.* Continue reading Internal competitions – excluded again?
10 years: look how far we’ve come!
Generation 2004 is 10 years old! What started with a petition in 2011 is, since at least 2020, the largest single trade union or staff association (OSP) in the Commission. Thank you for the trust you have placed in us with your engagement and with your votes! You have given us the encouragement, support and energy to be your voice and to raise your issues in all possible discussions and domains. We could not have come this far without you and we appreciate your input, examples and ideas on how to make the European public service fair, just and motivating. Our mission remains unchanged, we’re here for you! Continue reading 10 years: look how far we’ve come!
DG GROW: Reorganisation? Maladministration? Or how to pave the way for…what?
Our institution as well as our working and private lives have, in the recent past, undergone substantial change. So much so that the word reorganisation stopped soliciting any surprise. We are used to it and it happens everywhere and at reasonably regular intervals, such as before the arrival of a new Commission or Cabinets: the outgoing one might look to perhaps reshuffle things in order to accommodate their loyal staff within the services of the Commission. Continue reading DG GROW: Reorganisation? Maladministration? Or how to pave the way for…what?
We wish you a merry Christmas and a happy and healthy New Year!
This is a very special moment for Generation 2004: we are celebrating not only our 10-year anniversary, but also our 6 seats in the Luxembourg local staff committee elections, Villmols merci, Luxembourg! We’re the youngest and biggest in the Commission as a whole. Thank you for placing your trust in us: we continue to raise your issues and fight on your side, even in this fast-changing, spontaneous and hybrid ‘new normal’, we are always here for you! Continue reading We wish you a merry Christmas and a happy and healthy New Year!
Laissez-passer renewal unnecessarily complicated and expensive?
Generation 2004 has been contacted by many colleagues serving outside the territory of the European Union regarding the issue of renewing their service passport (‘laissez-passer’ (LP)). While for the issuing of this document (e.g. for a new start in a new country (‘posting’)) the associated travel costs are met by the services, the same is not true for the renewal. Continue reading Laissez-passer renewal unnecessarily complicated and expensive?
Help! My languages are in the wrong order!
*Update 09.10.2025 we see that the internal competitions to allow flexibility in terms of which language is used as the first language (see p.6 of the FAQs).*
Original article: You asked, we acted! A number of colleagues got in touch with us to ask for our help with regards to the internal competitions. Continue reading Help! My languages are in the wrong order!
A new publication: workplace bullying and harassment
*Update 20.11.2024 the question of how to distinguish between bullying and conflict has been brought up a couple of times lately so we link to an explanation here.* Original article: Our colleagues in the Harassment Watch Network (HWN) have published yet another study on bullying at the Commission, this time a collection of personal stories recounting the toxic situations lived and endured by our co-workers, our team mates, our collaborators. Continue reading A new publication: workplace bullying and harassment
Thank you Luxembourg!
Thank you for placing your trust in us! This has been a remarkable election: it has finished on time, meeting the original deadline without any need for an extension and it’s the first time that a woman-led couple has been the most elected in any Luxembourg election in living memory! Luxembourg, you are awesome! The result is even more meaningful in this, a very special year: we are celebrating our 10-year anniversary. Continue reading Thank you Luxembourg!
End of year checklist: December 2022
We encourage you to rest and to recharge your batteries during the end-of-year days: this is not an opportunity to get work done! Please, as far as you can, switch off your devices, mute notifications and disconnect: take the time for you. Why not already schedule your out-of-the-office message in Outlook today? It’s one thing you can score off your end-of-year ‘to do’ list. We present a list of suggestions here in no particular order. Please feel free to get in touch to add to this list if you’d like to share what works for you!
2023 appraisal and promotion/reclassification exercises conference
*Update 27.01.2023, we assisted 274 colleagues with their evaluation text. The link to register is no longer functional*
We found one more reason not to use the new option of transferring the report from the previous year: ad hoc input from panels and committees might need to be updated and the transfer does not allow for any modifications.
Also, here is the guidance that used to be available within sysper for the first 3 sections of the appraisal (please use Firefox or Edge). * Continue reading 2023 appraisal and promotion/reclassification exercises conference
