An update of the currently-in-force version of the work travel (‘mission’) guide (dating from 2017), has been in negotiations between the HR and the trade unions and staff associations (OSPs) since May 2023. The good news is that we are finally approaching its conclusion. At this stage we cannot present you details since they have not been adopted yet, but we can fill you in on what is coming.
The HR proposal reflect sometimes contradictive goals. It demonstrates attempts to advance with “greening” by allowing for more-expensive “greener” means of transport, encouraging staff to take trains for longer distances and night trains without increasing the mission budget. To do it a magic wand will be needed (but not provided).
The new guide is also trying to convince staff to have more online meetings rather than to travel and, by creating new administrative obstacles at DG level to discourage staff from missions with more than 3 colleagues from the same DG. Cost considerations clearly rate higher than the need for the Commission staff to mingle with the general public.
The new rules imposed more restrictions on authorised travel by limiting the number of possible situations justifying this travel possibility. Furthermore, the possibility of missions paid by third parties has been restricted to only 3 situations: when paid by Member States, international organisations or universities/research institutions. Directors-general trips will have to be confirmed by a head of cabinet, a change which appears to relate directly to a recent scandal.
On the positive side, HR has accepted comments from the OSP and shown more flexibility when combining a mission with teleworking from anywhere (TWA) or holidays and gave the authorising officer a possibility to grant the mission performer more time to reach the airport, station or port.
Among many comments Generation 2004 particularly criticised the shifting of some of the responsibilities onto mission performers and asked for clearly limiting possibilities for mission starting before 8.00 and after 20.00 (‘unsocial hours‘) which will only be possible for serious service-related reasons (and not because of a 5€ saving on a flight from Charleroi). We also requested a revision of the mission insurance ceilings to reflect real potential costs, particularly outside the EU.
The latest arrival in the revised guidelines will be a clause forbidding staff from drawing any private benefit from airmiles accumulated through professional travel. For this new element, Generation 2004 asked for a clear application rule by the administration to avoid misunderstandings followed by disciplinary procedures with IDOC.
At the same time, a moderate update of ceilings for hotels and daily allowances was presented but before being adopted it must be approved by the Council. Fingers crossed!
All in all, it seems that in the new mission guide cost cutting will have an upper hand over greening. Anyone surprised?
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