Selection of confidential counsellors - EIGE

Prior-check Opinion concerning the selection of confidential counsellors at the European Institute for Gender Equality (EIGE) (Case 2016-0408)

The opinion regards the processing operations related to the selection of confidential counsellors at the European Institute for Gender Equality (EIGE). The EDPS has issued Guidelines on the matter in 2011, so this "mini-Opinion" highlights only those practices which do not seem to be in conformity with the principles of the Regulation. The EIGE has adopted a "Manual of informal procedures within the framework of EIGE's Policy on protecting the dignity of the person and preventing psychological and sexual harassment". The main recommendations by the EDPS relate to additional clarifications that should be contained in this Manual, in particular (1) that only dedicated staff, usually from the HR Department, performs the eligibility check of candidates applying to become confidential counsellors; (2) which information of potential interest for the alleged victim's selection of a counsellor (e.g. gender, nationality, spoken languages, etc.) will be contained in the final list of confidential counsellors and (3) applicable retention periods.