According to the TAO, “this change cannot come about without discussing with staff to co-build new ways of working.” The email warns “it is impossible to pave the way for a new Commission organization based on simple polls or consultations — we must therefore involve staff through its representative trade unions from the outset.”
The working group responsible for the restructuring, advised by former Commission Secretary-General Catherine Day, has held a series of workshops with staff. However, internal documents obtained by POLITICO reveal they have encountered “resistance and cynicism” from colleagues, “hierarchical and rigidity issues” as well as “poor communication and engagement” compounded by a “lack of leadership.”
In their notes, senior Commission officials warn the review will now have to navigate a “loss of trust” among their teams and tackle “perceived hidden agendas or lack of transparency [that] can endanger change efforts.”
In a statement, a spokesperson for the Commission insisted that “staff members will be an important stakeholder throughout the review process … Staff representatives will also be engaged once the review starts in Autumn.”
The push for a more streamlined administration comes as Commission President Ursula von der Leyen seeks to ensure the service can respond faster to changing geopolitical situations, with potential mergers of departments under consideration. The review’s recommendations will be delivered by the end of 2026.
However, without a clear sense of which jobs — if any — could be cut or restructured, fears are growing that junior staff could be the ones bearing the brunt.
