Excessive workloads have become the new normal in many of The General Secretariat of the Council (GSC) services, jeopardising the functioning of our institution.
Workloads have reached alarming levels, yet are becoming commonplace in most of our services.
Too many colleagues are working overtime without being able to recoup these hours. In addition to normal duties, various extraordinary Council meetings are generating extra hours.
Many colleagues across the GSC have also been facing restrictions on taking recuperation or even on taking annual leave.
As a direct consequence, cases of burnout and lengthy sick leave are increasing, exacerbating the staff shortages that have built up since the 5% reduction in staffing levels imposed from 2014.
Requests for exceptional teleworking from a greater distance are often refused, even when they are considered by line managers as being in the interest of the service. Colleagues are forced to take family leave, which puts an additional strain on their close colleagues.
Many talented colleagues have already left the Council because of these disproportionate workloads.
Enough is enough!
Our Administration has a duty of care towards its staff and must assume its responsibility to address the current problems associated with overtime and understaffing. It needs to recruit more staff, so as to reduce excessive workloads.
Granting authorisation for exceptional teleworking from a greater distance – when considered by line managers to be in the interest of their service – is one of the measures that could alleviate the situation and enable a better work-life balance.
In September 2022, staff held a General Meeting and called for prompt action to reduce workloads to acceptable levels.
We call on our Secretary-General to do more to stop these unhealthy trends.
