September 6, 2026

Why Are Commission Staffers So Unhappy?

August 6, 2026
33029

The European Commission is often considered one of the most desired civil service positions in Brussels. However, those working there report experiencing high pressure, bureaucracy, and burnout.

Seb Starcevic conducted interviews with several officials from various commissioners’ cabinets and directorates-general, covering a range of ages, nationalities, and seniorities. In the podcast, Zoya Sheftalovich and Sarah Wheaton discuss what these insiders revealed about their working environment.

Additionally, the recent Ceuta crisis — where a large number of migrants crossed from Morocco into the Spanish territory — has resurfaced a fundamental question: Why does Spain retain land in North Africa? With Madrid becoming increasingly isolated from the U.S. and European allies, there are rising concerns about who would support Spain if Morocco made moves against Ceuta or Melilla, another Spanish city in North Africa.

Also, Novo Nordisk, the Danish pharmaceutical company known for Ozempic, is introducing a pill version of its weight-loss drug Wegovy in Europe, stirring transatlantic tensions.

Have questions or comments? Reach out to us! You can send a message or voice note to our WhatsApp here or at +32 491 05 06 29.

Comments

16 responses to “Why Are Commission Staffers So Unhappy?”

  1. Barbera Shift Avatar
    Barbera Shift

    Getting a job at the European Commission sounds like landing a spot in a five-star prison—good luck finding the exit with all that red tape! 😅

    Reply
  2. Sw33per Avatar
    Sw33per

    Seems like the European Commission is the place to be if you enjoy shuffling papers and stressing over bureaucracy—who needs sunshine and a decent work-life balance, right? 😂

    Reply
  3. vicious street Avatar
    vicious street

    Seems like working for the Commission is just like a holiday in Spain – sun’s out, but you’re stuck in the office with the same old paperwork! 😂 Who knew public service could be so… exhilarating?

    Reply
  4. Sleepwalker Avatar
    Sleepwalker

    Guess working at the Commission is like being in a posh prison—great view, but you’re still stuck behind bars with endless paperwork. 😂 Just what every ambitious Eurocrat dreams of, right?

    Reply
  5. orange teflon Avatar
    orange teflon

    Commission staffers unhappy? Shocking! Who wouldn’t be thrilled working under mountains of bureaucracy and pressure? 🙄 It’s like a holiday in the Sahara, but with more paperwork!

    Reply
  6. gr8 flick Avatar
    gr8 flick

    Seems like working at the Commission is a bit like enjoying a fine French wine: sounds sophisticated until you realize it’s mostly just a headache in a fancy bottle. 🍷😅

    Reply
  7. freesia Avatar
    freesia

    Oh, the joy of working in the Commission—where stress is the main course and burnout is the dessert! 🍽️ Maybe they should consider installing a “happiness quota” alongside all that bureaucracy they love so much! 😂

    Reply
  8. TrinitySoul Avatar
    TrinitySoul

    Seems like being a Commission staffer is the dream job, if your dream involves a daily dose of stress and bureaucracy—who needs excitement when you’ve got paperwork? 😂

    Reply
  9. Homerun Diva Avatar
    Homerun Diva

    Isn’t it delightful that working in the European Commission is like a never-ending game of bureaucratic dodgeball? One minute you’re dodging burnout, the next you’re tackling the existential crisis of why Spain still has a foot in Africa. 🍷😅

    Reply
  10. Roadblock Avatar
    Roadblock

    Nothing screams “dream job” like a life of constant stress in the dazzling bureaucratic paradise of Brussels, eh? 😂 Who needs a work-life balance when you can have endless paperwork and a side of existential dread!

    Reply
  11. Mantis Queen Avatar
    Mantis Queen

    Seems like the European Commission is the equivalent of a luxury car that only drives in reverse—plenty of style, but you’re still stuck in the past, mate. 😏🚗💨

    Reply
  12. DuckDuck Avatar
    DuckDuck

    Oh, the glamour of working in the European Commission – high pressure, endless bureaucracy, and burnout, just sounds like a holiday in the sun, doesn’t it? 😂 Meanwhile, if you can manage to keep your sanity, you might just earn a medal for bravery! 💼🌍

    Reply
  13. Duchess Avatar
    Duchess

    The European Commission: where dreams go to die under piles of paperwork and existential dread. 🤷‍♂️ Who knew public service could be so… exhilarating? 😂

    Reply
  14. dewdrop doll Avatar
    dewdrop doll

    Gotta love how the most coveted job in Brussels comes with the perks of stress and bureaucracy—talk about living the dream, right? 😂 Maybe they should just trade in their suits for yoga pants and a meditation corner!

    Reply
  15. Captain Peroxide Avatar
    Captain Peroxide

    Commission staffers unhappy? Shocking! Who wouldn’t thrive under the delightful combo of endless bureaucracy and constant pressure? Sounds like a proper holiday in the office! 😂🚀

    Reply
  16. Texas Butterfly Avatar
    Texas Butterfly

    Commission staffers unhappy? Shocking! Who would’ve thought that navigating a maze of bureaucratic tape while juggling existential crises wasn’t a walk in the park? 🤷‍♂️🥳

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Last News

Nigel Farage Aspires to Be a Global Statesman, But Needs to Distance Himself from Trump First

September 5, 2026
37722

Nigel Farage Aspires to Be a Global Statesman, But Needs to Distance Himself from Trump First

Trump was already unpopular in many European countries before the situation with Iran. The repercussions of that conflict, including the impact on fuel prices, have further increased the negative sentiments many European voters have toward the U.S. president.
Luke Tryl, from the More in Common think tank, revealed new research at the Reform conference indicating that a key group of British swing v

Read More

Russian Emperors and Freemasonry (Chronogram)

September 5, 2026
63077

Russian Emperors and Freemasonry (Chronogram)

Peter III (1728-1762), originally Karl Peter Ulrich von Holstein-Gottorp, was the successor to Empress Elizabeth Petrovna and ruled Russia briefly in 1762. His decisions were heavily influenced by his “brothers,” hinting at his involvement with Freemasonry, which played a role in his progressive policies despite his limited political acumen. A German lodge named “Constant”

Read More

UHasselt Scientist Wins €1.7 Million ERC Grant for Rotating Light Research

September 5, 2026
59876

UHasselt Scientist Wins €1.7 Million ERC Grant for Rotating Light Research

Hasselt (Eurotoday) – A researcher at Universiteit Hasselt (UHasselt) has secured one of Europe’s most competitive science awards to develop materials that can directly sense the “handedness” of light. Dr. Prof. Wouter Van Gompel has received a grant of €1.7 million from the European Research Council (ERC) in relation to the CONCePT project, which seeks to develop chiral hybrid perovskites that

Read More

Farage would use military to ‘crush’ Argentina in any Falklands dispute, senior ally says

September 5, 2026
23138

Farage would use military to ‘crush’ Argentina in any Falklands dispute, senior ally says

Last week, U.S. President Donald Trump hinted he might reconsider Washington’s support for Britain’s sovereignty over the Falkland Islands, stating, “I always review every position — that’s just one of many,” to reporters.
Days later, Argentina’s right-wing President Javier Milei, an ally of Trump, intensified his country’s claim to the islands, vowing to impose sanctions o

Read More

Leviticus and Prophecy: Models of Pastoral Care (1)

September 5, 2026
39644

Leviticus and Prophecy: Models of Pastoral Care (1)

The focus of this article is not a historical exploration of the relationship between the Levitical and prophetic institutions of the Old Testament. I will reference Old Testament texts only as they bolster the main ideas of my subject, illuminating what’s significant about these two concepts through the light of the Bible. It’s crucial to note that no mention of Leviticus here is mea

Read More

Dendermonde Atheneum Unveils Eco-Friendly School Playground Renovation

September 5, 2026
91281

Dendermonde Atheneum Unveils Eco-Friendly School Playground Renovation

Dendermonde (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – The Atheneum of Dendermonde has officially put a renovated, much greener playground into use, marking a significant upgrade to the school’s outdoor environment at the start of the 2026–27 academic year. In cooperation with MOS (Milieu op School), the project turns the originally harder surface area into a nature-rich space meant for improving the wellbe

Read More

Putin Approves 72-Hour Ceasefire with Kyiv Amid US Envoy Visit

September 5, 2026
30884

Putin Approves 72-Hour Ceasefire with Kyiv Amid US Envoy Visit

“This is due to the preparation and conduct of American contacts in Kyiv,” Peskov stated. Witkoff and Kushner are anticipated to visit the Ukrainian capital on Sunday.
Russian drone attacks on Ukrainian cities have increased in recent weeks. Meanwhile, Ukraine has ramped up its strikes on Russia’s oil infrastructure, achieving a monthly record for attacks since the war began in 2022.
A Russian ove

Read More

Leviticus and Prophecy: Models of Pastoral Care (2)

September 5, 2026
74676

Leviticus and Prophecy: Models of Pastoral Care (2)

By Archimandrite Cyprian (Kern)
What defines a “prophet” in the context of pastoral care?
It’s not the Church’s recognized and canonized figure. While the term originates from the Bible, it holds a meaning closer to early Christianity’s monuments. Here, a prophet isn’t someone who predicts the future but embodies a creative spirit, seeking constant communion wi

Read More

Bank of England’s Bailey Warns Rising Government Debt Poses Long-Term Risks, London

September 5, 2026
25026

Bank of England’s Bailey Warns Rising Government Debt Poses Long-Term Risks, London

London, 4 September (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Bank of England Governor Andrew Bailey has warned that long-term government debt pressures across advanced economies are being fuelled by weak productivity, ageing populations, major economic shocks and demands for increased defence spending, contributing to higher borrowing costs.
Bailey made the comments at a conference hosted by the London Sc

Read More

Europe Faces Autumn With Limited Gas Reserves

September 5, 2026
46641

Europe Faces Autumn With Limited Gas Reserves

Uneven Gas Reserves Spark Price Concerns as EU Braces for Another Uncertain Winter
Europe is heading into the heating season with low gas reserves, increasing price pressure on households and industries, despite official assurances about supply security. The situation is especially concerning in Germany and the Netherlands, where storage levels are significantly lower than in several southern an

Read More