Standing Concertation Committee

Main points examined at the meeting of 24 June 2009

Results of the 2009 MARS exercise

The Committee took note of the results of the 2009 MARS exercise presented by the Head of the HR Department, expressing satisfaction for the early availability of the statistics and for the fact that the analysis of the results covered the last three years.

Status report on the work on the five-yearly review

The Committee took note of a presentation by P. Gildemyn on the data collection procedure for the 2010 five-yearly review (staff, fellows, associate members of the personnel, CHIS) and of the proposed work schedule.

Implications for employment conditions of the discussions at the Finance Committee and Council on 17 and 18 June 2009

The Chairman briefly reported on the discussions at the meetings of the Finance Committee and Council in June 2009, on the 2010-2014 medium-term plan and the 2010 preliminary draft budget, as well as on the modified strategy and goals for 2009. The Committee took note that the Finance Committee and Council had approved the proposed amendments to the Staff Rules and Regulations relating to the new contract policy, which had come into effect on 1st August 2009.

Mutual Aid Fund - annual report for 2008 and preliminary budget for 2009

The Committee took note of the 2008 annual report presented by the Chairman of the Mutual Aid Fund and approved the contributions from the Administration budget and the Staff Association to the Fund’s 2009 budget.

Carry-forward of annual leave for the 2008-2009 leave year

In view of special needs highlighted by certain departments following the LHC repair work, the following arrangements were agreed for the exceptional carry-forward of annual leave from 30 September 2009:

• Subject to the authorisation of the Head of Department, which will be granted on a case-by-case basis, staff members will be entitled to carry forward up to 15 extra days of annual leave with effect from 30 September 2009, thereby raising the carry-forward of leave to a maximum of 45 days. For those participating in the short-term saved leave system, this entitlement will be increased by 22 days, giving a maximum total carry-forward of 67 days (annual leave and saved leave).
• Leave carried forward on this exceptional basis must be taken between 1st October 2009 and 30 September 2010.

Main points examined at the meeting of 3 September 2009

Administrative Circular No. 30 (Rev. 2 Corr.), "Financial benefits on taking up appointment and on termination of contract"

Two changes were made to the text of Administrative Circular No. 30. The first change concerns travel expenses, which no longer need to be paid back when they have been paid in advance and the member of the personnel resigns during the first year of service. The second change introduces a clarification regarding cases where the start of the period during which the cost of storing furniture is covered by the Organization is deferred to the termination of the contract. The Committee agreed to recommend the Director-General to approve Administrative Circular No. 30 (Rev. 2 Corr.).

Administrative Circular No. 2 (Rev. 4), "Recruitment, appointment and contract development of staff members" + Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Following the approval of the new contract policy by the Finance Committee and Council in June 2009, the HR Department, the representatives of the departments and the Staff Association worked together in July and August to finalise Administrative Circular No. 2 and the associated Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ). The Chairman thanked all those involved for their hard work during the summer to ensure that the deadline for the two documents was met.

Following consultation on a number of outstanding issues, the Committee agreed to recommend the Director-General to approve Administrative Circular No. 2 (Rev. 4) and the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document.

SCC sub-groups: finalisation of terms of reference and composition

The Committee endorsed the terms of reference and composition of two SCC sub-groups, one responsible for changes to the Staff Rules and Regulations and administrative circulars and the other for the 2010 five-yearly review of the financial and social conditions of the members of the personnel.

Education fees: Indexation of the amounts for accommodation, meals and school transport

The Committee approved the calculated indexation of the amounts for accommodation, meals and school transport for the 2009-2010 academic year. Accommodation fees for the 2009-2010 school year will be paid in the form of a lump-sum of 521 CHF per month (paid at the rate of 100%). The amount used for the calculation of meal payments will be 18 CHF per meal (paid at the rate of 75%). The ceiling for school transport fees has been set at 592 CHF for the 2009-2010 school year.

by HR Department