The Agreement on information and consultation rights of public employees in Europe on issues such as restructuring, which originated from negotiations between the social partners of central government administrations (TUNED/EUPAE), has not been enacted in EU law. The European Federation of Public Service Unions (EPSU) is opposing this refusal by the Commission and has lodged an appeal with the European Court of Justice (ECJ) against the initial ruling. This represents a first in the field of labour policy.

A new work portal set up by the Joint Department for Protection and Prevention in the Workplace of the Federal Public Services (Empreva) allows staff to consult their personnel file online for monitoring health and professional risk management. Employees also have access to various documents and questionnaires, and can submit spontaneous requests for medical consultations. 

Absenteeism is often a difficult subject to broach as it has many interactive causes (employees’ health, wellbeing in the workplace, interpersonal relations) but it can be reduced if effective prevention measures are introduced. The National Union of Director Generals of Local Authorities (SNDGCT) has come up with a three-step approach enabling organisations to make correct assessments to find appropriate solutions to the situation in question.