My Working Life
Upon signing a contract with the Organization, all members of personnel agree to be subject to the Staff Rules and Regulations, which define and codify the legal relationship between the Organization and the Members of Personnel, setting out their various rights and obligations as well as the privileges and immunities to which they are entitled and the protection that the Organization provides.
Members of personnel are expected to conduct themselves with due regard to the interests and proper functioning of the Organization. They must carry out the functions assigned to them with integrity and must demonstrate loyalty to the Organization by refraining from any act or activity incompatible with these functions or prejudicial to the Organization. The CERN Code of Conduct describes the basic standards of behaviour that we must all set ourselves and are entitled to expect from our colleagues in the workplace.
Browse the HR webpages to find out more about all the services that can support you and what is available to you: for example, check out the various optional insurances available to you on this link.
The CERN Staff Association is the official body responsible for relations between the Management and the members of the personnel. It represents the personnel collectively in the various consultative bodies provided for in the Staff Rules and Regulations. The Staff Association also represents you in negotiations on health insurance, pensions, employment conditions, career, training, and any other issue that concerns your financial or social conditions. The Staff Association defends the economic, social and professional interests of the CERN members of the personnel, and can also provide individual assistance if you were to have questions regarding your contract, or if you encounter interpersonal issues at work.
Membership of the Staff Association is optional. The Association invites its members to an Annual General Meeting, and holds other meetings open to all members of personnel whenever it deems fit.
The reference working week is five days, Monday to Friday inclusive. Reference working hours are 8.30 am to 5.30 pm with a break of one hour for lunch.
- You will find further information about taking leave at CERN.
- Staff members and fellows can also read more about Special Working Hours.
Further essential and helpful information can be found on:
- The Service Portal provides easy, one-stop access to all CERN services and practical information.
- The CERN Admin e-guide is a guide to the Organization's administrative procedures, which has been drawn up for the benefit of the various administrative services as well as all members of personnel and other categories of persons having access to the site or installations of the Organization. It contains concise information on the procedures in force and exists in both English and French.
- Diversity is a shared responsibility between all the stakeholders of the Organization and applies to all CERN Contributors, as appropriate. Browse the CERN Diversity Office website and familiarize yourself with the Diversity Policy.
- The Social Affairs Service is a drop-in service open to members of the CERN personnel (all categories: employed or associated), beneficiaries of the CERN Pension Fund, and members of their families. It offers advice and support in a wide variety of circumstances (professional and personal).
- The CERN Ombud may help to resolve disputes in a consensual and impartial manner, thus promoting the good functioning of the Organization.
- CERN language tandem programme.
- More general information: CERN community and CERN official communications.
