Studying for exams

Date: 10/09/1998

Employers beware. Don't fall for stories from your staff that they are going to a wedding, are feeling a bit queasy or have been summoned for jury service next Monday (14 September).

Chances are that they are sloping off from work to sit the first round of tests on the arduous route to becoming a European Commission official. (You might notice them swotting up their idiots' guides to the EU and memorising answers to likely questions such as 'when was the Treaty of Rome signed?')

But don't be too hard on them when they get back, because the chances are that they won't be accepted. The Commission gets tens of thousands of applications for the handful of low A-grade positions up for grabs.