In a recent interview with Commission en Direct, Mr. Olivier Salles, Director of EPSO, stated:
“I want to improve the experience of candidates, as competitions often represent citizens’ first contact with EU institutions.”
This is an objective that the Union Syndicale fully shares and supports with conviction.
While we extend our congratulations on his appointment, we also offer Mr. Salles our best wishes for the challenges ahead.
However, we are all aware of EPSO’s core issue: a glaring lack of resources. This prevents both EPSO staff and colleagues appointed to chair or serve on competition juries from meeting the expectations placed upon them.
One issue deserves particular attention from Commissioner Serafin, DG HR, as well as Mr. Salles and his team. It concerns a now well-established practice: the failure to meet deadlines for responding to “requests for review” submitted by candidates who were not admitted to the next stages of a competition.
Candidates who request a review of their test by the competition jury generally receive an acknowledgment of receipt and a communication informing them that, despite the delay, a response will be provided.
However, no one informs them when this will happen, leaving them in a difficult situation: How long should they wait for a response? At what point can they consider that their request for review will not be processed within a reasonable timeframe and, consequently, file an appeal based on Article 90.2?
While we fully understand the workload faced by our colleagues, EPSO must find a way to ensure that responses are provided on time. This is essential for the legal certainty of the institution, respect for candidates, and the image the institution wishes to project.
The Executive Committee
Union Syndicale Bruxelles
