You have a complaint against an EU institution or body?

Make a complaint
Make a complaint
HomeDecision
Available languages: 
  • Deutsch

Entscheidung betreffend die Reaktion der Europäischen Investitionsbank auf Bedenken hinsichtlich in ihrem Besitz befindlicher bestimmter personenbezogener Daten von Stellenbewerbern vor Einstellungsentscheidungen (Fall OI/5/2021/PB)

Decision
Case OI/5/2021/PB - Opened on Monday | 21 June 2021 - Decision on Wednesday | 01 December 2021 - Institution concerned European Investment Bank ( Suggestion(s) accepted by the institution )

Der Fall betraf die Praxis der Europäischen Investitionsbank (EIB), Stellenbewerber aufzufordern, vor der Einstellungsentscheidung der EIB bestimmte personenbezogene Informationen, insbesondere zu ihrer familiären Situation, vorzulegen.

Die Bürgerbeauftragte sah ein, dass die EIB diese Praxis eingeführt hat, um ihre Verfahren so effizient wie möglich zu gestalten. Sie äußerte jedoch Besorgnis, weil die Erhebung personenbezogener Daten unverhältnismäßig sei und sich negativ auf das Vertrauen in die Einstellungsverfahren der EIB auswirken könnte. Es hätten möglicherweise nicht alle Bewerber Vertrauen darin, dass die personenbezogenen Daten unter keinen Umständen eine Rolle bei ihren Aussichten auf eine Stelle spielen würden.

Die EIB antwortete, sie habe ihre Vorgehensweise geändert, um den Bedenken der Bürgerbeauftragten Rechnung zu tragen.

Die Bürgerbeauftragte begrüßte die konstruktive Antwort der EIB und schloss die Untersuchung ab.

The inquiry

1. The Ombudsman set out the issue in her letter opening the inquiry: the EIB had established a practice whereby it requests certain personal information (such as on household composition and dependants) from job applicants. This practice was related to efficiency concerns. She noted that the EIB had in the meantime changed this practice to make the provision of such information voluntary. This may nonetheless be problematic in practice. If candidates are asked to provide information in the context of a recruitment procedure, they may consider that failing to do so could negatively prejudice their prospects[1].

2. The EIB replied that it had reconsidered its practice and decided not to ask candidates for any information regarding their family situation, including information on dependents - not even on a voluntary basis - before the final candidate is determined. This new procedure is in place since 1 April 2021. As a consequence, applicants are no longer asked to provide information on their family situation during the selection process. Only the selected candidate (i.e. for whom a signed selection note has been sent to Personnel) is asked to provide the personal details regarding their family situation to determine their benefits package. The changes have been formalized in the internal procedures of the EIB[2].

3. The Ombudsman very much welcomes the EIB’s response in this case.

Conclusion

The Ombudsman closes the inquiry with the conclusion that the EIB has given a most constructive response and that the matter is now settled.

Emily O'Reilly
European Ombudsman


Strasbourg, 01/12/2021

 

[1] The Ombudsman’s full letter is here: https://www.ombudsman.europa.eu/en/doc/correspondence/en/143366

[2] The EIB’s full reply is here: https://www.ombudsman.europa.eu/en/doc/correspondence/en/149856

Related documents