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360° evaluation: Promoting self-awareness and behavioural change for better outcomes
While first dismissed as a fashionable trend among HR professionals, 360° evaluations are now more widespread and have become a tool to prov
Sumeet Thakkar
Apr 24 min read
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Upskilling and reskilling for EU DEL – training staff for new ways of working!
EU Delegations are the main conduit for the European Union’s external policies. They are only as strong as their staff who need to be upskil
Sumeet Thakkar
Mar 244 min read
76
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Local Agents’ Salary Stagnation - Almost 40 Delegations are denied a salary increase every year
Local Agents in EU Delegations are facing significant challenges due to the stagnation of their salaries over the years. Despite their cruci
Michael Steffens
Mar 132 min read
306
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The Unsung Backbone – Local Agents in Delegations
In recent discussions surrounding the regionalization of Delegations, there has been growing concern about the future of Local Agents (LAs)
Michael Steffens
Mar 62 min read
103
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How Officials Perceive the Possible Restructuring of EU Delegations?
The European Union is considering a critical restructuring of EU Delegations claiming this is needed to enhance efficiency, effectiveness,
Sumeet Thakkar
Mar 53 min read
172
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Career Development that fails to meet CA expectations
The Appraisal and Reclassification of Contract Agents (CAs) should be an important part of the Institutional HR strategy to ensure fair care
Michael Steffens
Feb 144 min read
235
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More respect - avoiding stress in the workplace!
We want everyone both the hierarchy and our peer to recognize and address the issues arising from stress in the workplace. We need to be abl
Michael Steffens
Feb 63 min read
71
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USHU – 15 years at your service: Ensuring your issues are on the HQ Agenda Every Time
Helen CONEFREY, Sunil KUMAR, Aminata ONGOIBA, Karoly SOOS, Michael STEFFENS, and Sumeet THAKKAR “No one knows better than USHU the...
Michael Steffens
Feb 43 min read
50
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Rotation and Mobility 2025 - Frustration prevails for many
The movement of Officials and Contract Agents (CAs) from HQ to EU DEL and between EU DEL (known as “rotation” for Officials and “mobility” f
Michael Steffens
Jan 304 min read
793
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Local Agents in Peril !!! Stop “Fire-and-Hire” - LA livelihoods are at stake
The EU’s proposed INTPA Regionalisation policy affecting over 100 EU Delegations, is a topic of global discussion. Hundreds of Local Agents
Michael Steffens
Jan 282 min read
460
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Regionalization, what to expect on the ground
USHU is concerned that regionalization will result in an overall reduced EU presence on the ground and potentially have a negative impact
Michael Steffens
Jan 175 min read
1,027
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Regionalization – What is in store for EU DEL?
In any change management process, there will be casualties. Posts will be frozen and eventually suppressed. Expatriate Staff will be redeplo
Michael Steffens
Jan 114 min read
3,377
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How agile do EU DEL need to become in order to face future challenges?
Helen Conefrey The scale of restructuring and its implications for all Commission and EEAS staff Delegations have acted as the voice of...
Sumeet Thakkar
Dec 17, 20242 min read
746
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How USHU came about…
Dimitrije Stanković It was on one cold winter night in Brussels in 2009 when three of us – Victoria Davydova, Driss Eskalli and myself...
Michael Steffens
Dec 5, 20243 min read
67
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Open Letter to the High Representative/Vice President Ms. Kaja Kallas and Commissioner for Budget, Anti-Fraud and Public Administration, Mr. Piotr Serafin
Management must restore trust and openly engage in Social Dialogue to discuss restructuring proposals for EU Delegations Subject:...
Michael Steffens
Dec 3, 20242 min read
415
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Local Agents Issues at the forefront - USHU defends your interests every time!
USHU is aware of the concern of Local Agents across the globe as they face inflation and great uncertainty. 2025 will be a critical year to
Michael Steffens
Nov 26, 20244 min read
477
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Living Conditions Allowance (LCA): An outdated method that often fails to reflect reality on the ground!
USHU believes there is a need to review and overhaul the LCA methodology that was adopted in December 2014 to ensure that it better reflects
Michael Steffens
Jul 1, 20243 min read
181
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RESPECT Leads to Results
USHU strives to promote a better work culture in EU Delegations through cultivating greater RESPECT among colleagues
Michael Steffens
May 29, 20243 min read
110
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Always THINK – SPEAK and ACT Positive
The best way to avoid inappropriate behaviour and harassment is to show MORE RESPECT, more patience - line managers and peers should engage
Michael Steffens
Apr 30, 20245 min read
107
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An increasingly Modern Workplace
The introduction of new working arrangements in EU Delegations marks a new era.
Michael Steffens
Apr 15, 20245 min read
216
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“Everyone has been made for some particular work, and the desire for that work has been put in every heart.” Rumi
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