62020TJ0415_INF
Judgment of the General Court (Fourth Chamber) of 16 June 2021 –KT v EIB
(Case T‑415/20)
(Civil service – EIB staff – Disciplinary proceedings – Summary dismissal for grave misconduct – Rights of the defence – Hearing of witnesses – Delegation of power – Preparation of the contested decision – Reasonable period of time – Impartiality – Protection of personal data – Proportionality)
1.
Officials – Staff of the European Investment Bank – Disciplinary measures – Disciplinary proceedings – Audi alteram partem – Observance of the rights of the defence – Hearing of the witnesses – Right of the person concerned to challenge the testimony against him or her and question witnesses against him or her
(Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union, Art. 41(2)(a))
(see paras 49-52)
2.
European Investment Bank – Powers of the President – Power to decide on individual staff matters – Assistance provided by departments in preparing decisions – No need for an express delegation of powers
(Statute of the European Investment Bank, Art. 11(7); Staff Regulations of the European Investment Bank, Art. 23)
(see paras 60-62)
3.
Officials – Staff of the European Investment Bank – Disciplinary measures – Disciplinary proceedings – Opening – Duty to act within a reasonable time – Point at which the reasonable time begins to run – Cessation of the infringement
(see paras 66, 70, 71)
4.
Officials – Staff of the European Investment Bank – Disciplinary measures – Disciplinary proceedings – Composition of the joint committee – Right to sound administration – Requirement of impartiality – Concept – Involvement of the Director-General of the Directorate-General for Personnel – Whether permissible
(Staff Regulations of the European Investment Bank, Art. 40, first para.)
(see paras 78-87)
5.
Officials – Staff of the European Investment Bank – Disciplinary measures – Penalty – Discretion of the appointing authority – Limits – Observance of the principle of proportionality – Judicial review – Limits
(Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union, Art. 47)
(see paras 91, 92, 130)
6.
Officials – Staff of the European Investment Bank – Disciplinary measures – Penalty – Proof of a disciplinary offence
(see para. 101)
7.
EU institutions – Protection of individuals with regard to the processing of personal data – Regulation No 45/2001 – Processing of personal data – Collection of data by the European Investment Bank for the purpose of verifying the content and authenticity of the letters of reference and qualifications declared by a staff member – Whether permissible
(European Parliament and Council Regulation No 45/2001, Art. 5)
(see para. 106)
8.
Officials – Staff of the European Investment Bank – Sick leave – No evidence of illness – Unjustified absence – Challenge by the person concerned – Burden of proof
(see paras 112, 113)
9.
Officials – Staff of the European Investment Bank – Sick leave – Unauthorised stay outside the place of employment – Reliance by the person concerned on grounds of force majeure – Burden of proof
(see paras 122, 123)
10.
Officials – Staff of the European Investment Bank – Disciplinary measures – Penalty – Aggravating circumstance – Concept – Quality of the service records of the person concerned – Included
(see paras 137-139)
11.
Officials – Staff of the European Investment Bank – Disciplinary measures – Penalty – Mitigating circumstance – Apologies made by the person concerned – Precluded – Possibility of remote working refused despite the distance between the place of residence of the person concerned and her place of work – Precluded
(see paras 141-147)
Re:
Application based on Article 270 TFEU and Article 50a of the Statute of the Court of Justice of the European Union seeking the annulment of the decision of the EIB of 24 March 2020 imposing on the applicant, as a disciplinary penalty, summary dismissal for grave misconduct, without notice and with a severance grant.
Operative part
The Court:
1.
Dismisses the action;
2.
Orders KT to bear her own costs and to pay those incurred by the European Investment Bank (EIB).