ECDC Reviews

How does this thing even still operate???? They fumbled Covid completely, completely. What a bunch of unqualified buffoons. But what did I expect???? From what I saw from working there, this could have been predicted, expected. The organization is incredibly bureaucratic, requiring employees to turn over loads of paperwork to just prove who they are. I had to turn over my birth certificate. Then you get there, and find an empty office. There’s no one there to train you. Your questions are meant with derisive eye rolls. There’s no organization, order or workflow in the department you work in. Everything is of the highest priority. Until it’s not. These people are supposed to provide vital information about public health to Europe’s citizenry???? THESE people???? This farce of a place???? Yeah. Stay away.

I found out only months after joining ECDC, that the organisation is the laughing stock of EU agencies. Member States, COM, and DG Santé are generally not so impressed with anything coming out of Stockholm. Therefor do not expect that having ECDC on your resume contributes to your professional reputation in any positive way or form, regardless of your role or contributions. And yes, there are the 7-month winters with 6 hrs of bleek daylight and the arms-length Swedish social life. Upper echelons of management are largely technical specialists with absolutely no clue of running a modern public organisation, lead and inspire staff, provide guidance and direction, promote and advance positive behaviour and put an end to negative and inefficient behaviour on the work floor. Staff generally feel unsafe, unmotivated and disoriented but stay because of the (ridiculous) benefits and ample opportunities to work routinely and little (or: 'flexible'). Core hours between 10 am and 3 pm leave the office near empty after 3.