The president of the Commission published a speech (26 April 2021) where she states that she considers the ‘sofagate’ events of 7 April to have been gender discrimination. Until then, and in the absence of details and statements it was important to keep a cool head and to view the whole affair in all its complexity to look at all the factors that might have played a role. Continue reading Generation 2004’s position on ‘sofagate’ and beyond…
Brussels LSC and the Interpreters’ Delegation
‘The staff committees represent the interests of the staff vis-à-vis the Institution and contributes to the smooth running of the service.’ (Staff Matters)
Generation 2004 objects to the way the Brussels Local Staff Committee (LSC) appears to be imposing rules on the Interpreters’ Delegation. Continue reading Brussels LSC and the Interpreters’ Delegation
Welcome to ‘The Wild West of Teleworking’ Photography Contest
*We would still like to receive your pics and stories*
Still working at the kitchen table after 13 months? Your bills increased exponentially? Cannot afford a decent home office with your salary?
If all of this sound familiar, it is time to participate in our photography contest!
Send us pictures of your home office set-up, your bills before and after compulsory teleworking started Continue reading Welcome to ‘The Wild West of Teleworking’ Photography Contest
Coaching lunchtime sessions on how to efficiently work digitally
*Additional date added: password is in the newsletter*
Communicating in a virtual world – how to close the empathy gap between you and your colleagues
How many times have you had an instant negative reaction when reading an email?
How many times have you received a response to an email and you can’t any sense out of it? Continue reading Coaching lunchtime sessions on how to efficiently work digitally
AST/SC SC6 the Loch Ness monster of staff grades
*Update 22.11.2024 Statistical Bulletin October 2024 shows that there are currently no AST/SC6 staff, this would support our assertion in [1] below that the 5 AST/SC6 colleagues from 2021 were temporary agents (TAs)**Update 08.07.2021: We will have AST-SC6 colleagues in 2021!*[1]
Continue reading AST/SC SC6 the Loch Ness monster of staff grades
Free coaching with certified Commission colleagues
Every accomplishment starts with the decision to try!
- Demotivated and without any energy?
- Tired of doing the same thing over and over?
- Lonely and/or that you cannot control your thoughts?
- Purposeless and with no direction in life?
- Stuck in your life and have no idea what to do first?
- Unfocused and overwhelmed by work?
There is coaching available and there are coaches in the Commission who can support you in this journey wherever you are at this moment in your life!
Continue reading Free coaching with certified Commission colleagues
Brexit update: UK-only TA/CA staff: transparency in application of criteria please
A quick update and reminder of the context: the assurances given to staff with UK-only nationality that they ‘will continue their career with the Commission’ post Brexit (19.1.2021) do not apply to our colleagues with time-limited contracts. Decisions on their future are being taken using these criteria on a ‘case-by-case assessment’ with results expected now, in March 2021 [1]. Continue reading Brexit update: UK-only TA/CA staff: transparency in application of criteria please
A difficult Easter for DG SCIC staff?
DG Interpretation (SCIC) colleagues contacted us recently to have more clarity about working-time arrangements for the Easter holidays.
There are more restrictive leave-management rules in place at DG SCIC in general, for example the need to announce changes to a leave schedule 2 months in advance. Continue reading A difficult Easter for DG SCIC staff?
CBT training offer
Generation 2004 is organising computer-based multiple-choice test (CBT) training to provide you with techniques to pass the Contract Agents selection tool (CAST) or the CBT phase of any European Personnel Selection Office (EPSO) competition.
The final objective is to guarantee that candidates master the CBT methodology. The training sessions will go through the theory of the exercises and share a practical methodology and exercises for practice at home, with the possibility of addressing doubts in the following session. Continue reading CBT training offer
Latest on COVID: vaccines a little behind initial estimates
*Update 11.10.2022 Covid booster II campaign is starting soon (again medical service in Brussels and national authorities elsewhere) and flu vaccine is already available on some sites* Commissioner Hahn said in his video message (16.3.2021) that ‘we are all impatient to be free again’. At this stage, please allow me to modify his message and stress that ‘we are all impatient to be finally vaccinated’ (at least most of us). After 1 year of teleworking at home we are all fed up with this situation and cannot wait to resume a normal life. While entering the third wave, we are facing yet another lockdown. As most countries begin to tighten the restrictions, the vision of going to visit our loved ones over the Easter period seems to be vanishing. The pressure is high, our workload has increased, some of us at the brink of burnout, digital overload is a hard reality and some of us are worried about our family members in other Member States, which are currently fighting for their lives. Continue reading Latest on COVID: vaccines a little behind initial estimates
