*Update 06.10.2022 Berlaymont pickpockets (note, July 2022 training on dealing with pickpockets is no longer available)* The Office for Infrastructure and Logistics in Brussels (OIB) recently informed three executive agencies: the European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency (Eismea), the European Health and Digital Executive Agency (HADEA) and the European Research Executive Agency (REA) of its intention to move them from the Covent Garden building to the North Light building close to the Brussels-North train station. The staff committees in the agencies strongly oppose this move, citing both security and operational reasons[1]. Press articles on the security problems in the area: Continue reading Staff in Executive Agencies need your support! Will you dare to care?
Time for the Commission to focus on inclusion: cancer survivors
Generation 2004 strongly supports colleagues in the EU institutions affected by cancer, just as we support colleagues with any important issue impacting their physical and/or mental health. As the Commission has been in the process of revising its HR strategy for almost 2 years now, it is high time to put in place a new policy to better cater for the needs of cancer survivors and their families and the needs of all colleagues whose complex situations are not well covered by the current patchwork of rules [1]. Continue reading Time for the Commission to focus on inclusion: cancer survivors
Preserving acquired rights of Local agents – empty promises?
Generation 2004 has come across different cases where Local Agents (LAs) have indeed lost their acquired rights after signing up to the new conditions of employment (a loss of rights was mentioned as a distant possibility in 2020). First and foremost, Generation 2004 does not agree with the approach of setting the deadline for LAs to sign the new contract which was before all the annexes of the contract were in place. The national law reference guides were not provided to colleagues at the time of signing the contract and some of the implementing decisions (i.e. the assessment procedure, guidance policies to assist Delegations in exercising their duty of care towards the local staff) are even still missing today. Continue reading Preserving acquired rights of Local agents – empty promises?
A constructive debate on the Future of the Brussels’ European Schools
In our earlier article on this matter we raised concerns over the two models described in the first draft of the paper on the “Reflections on the future structure of the Brussels European Schools”. Following the meeting of the Enlarged group of the Steering Committee Brussels on 31 May 2022, this paper was revised and following its publication, a group of parents from the Brussels’ European School 2 – Woluwe, took on the task of drafting a document that not only highlighted the raised issues in detail, but also went the extra step and constructively proposed a long-term solution for the current situation. Continue reading A constructive debate on the Future of the Brussels’ European Schools
Hybrid working guidelines for DGs and Delegations, what should we expect?
*Update 10.03.2023 in January 2023 the Commission abandoned its draft guidelines in favour of reworking the frequently asked questions (FAQs).*
Generation 2004 firmly believes that the EU institutions should focus on impact and output rather than the means of work. When the pandemic has shown that, for many roles, teleworking can be as effective as office presence (and is considered equivalent), why does the EU appear to prefer to go back in time? Why burden colleagues with again finding balance, having to revamp their schedules and routines with the associated stresses in order to be present in their place of employment rather than letting them continue to telework in peace, efficiently, effectively, and happily? Continue reading Hybrid working guidelines for DGs and Delegations, what should we expect?
Summer holiday checklist (Tips)
*For those of you who remain in the office keeping the Commission standing, please check out the heatwave instructions for dealing with hot Offices *
With many of us now looking forward to enjoying some well-deserved leave over the summer, we remind you that annual leave is your time to do with as you will. It is not there for you to catch up on work still needing done, it is not there for you to ‘clear your feet’ with projects, it is not there for you to monitor what is or is not happening back in the office. Being reachable all of the time is draining, contributes to burnout and can allow bullying/harassment to continue round the clock and unabated. Take this time for you and leave the office behind! Continue reading Summer holiday checklist (Tips)
It happened to me!
Life can be surprising, and life in the Commission can be surprising too. If you have encountered an eyebrow-raising situation, please share it with us!
We are proposing to start a new column dedicated to your experiences: we’d like you to tell us how it’s possible to get caught up between different rules (or different ways of applying the same rule) or to find yourself scratching your head thinking ‘come on, is this normal?’ Continue reading It happened to me!
Generation 2004 conference: How to draft an appeal
***EEAS reclassification list is published 11.07.2022. Our conference is over but you can still watch the Recording!!! ***
For those of you not proposed for promotion or reclassification and who feel the reason is not related to your performance but to other reasons: change of unit/department, parental/maternity leave, change of line manager, personal conflicts etc., you may file an appeal in Sysper.
Generation 2004 will discuss how to draft such an appeal and answer your questions. The conference will take place on Thursday 16 June 2022 from 12.00 to 14.00 via WebEx. Continue reading Generation 2004 conference: How to draft an appeal
Prioritize internal Local Agents recruitment in EU Delegations
As noticed by many colleagues in Delegations, the recruitment procedures for vacant posts for Local Agents are advertised internally and externally at the same time. One cannot avoid asking: Why would management search by default for candidates externally, instead of first providing a path of career growth to its existing talent?
We believe that unless a Delegation is extremely small, there is always the possibility to fill the post by internal candidates. Continue reading Prioritize internal Local Agents recruitment in EU Delegations
Is this the solution to the European Schools overcrowding problem?
The Secretary General of the European Schools has recently started a discussion on the future of the European schools. To kick off the debate, a first draft of a paper on “Reflections on the future structure of the Brussels European Schools” (Ref.: 2022-05-D-en_1)” was presented and discussed at the meeting of the Enlarged group of the Steering Committee Brussels on 31 May 2022. Continue reading Is this the solution to the European Schools overcrowding problem?
