08.10.2021

WHAT SHOULD WE DO IF WE LOSE OUR EMPLOYMENT RECORD BOOK?

What are our rights if we lose our employment record book? Is there an institution that can help us to recover the information in it and what is the procedure for that?

According to the Ordinance on the employment record book and length of service, when the employment record book is lost or destroyed, the Labor Inspectorate issues a new one based on a written application of the employee stating that the employment record book has been lost, who lost it and data on the employers with whom he/she worked.

When the employment record book is lost or destroyed by the employee, in the new employment record book the Labor Inspectorate shall enter data on the length of service on the basis of the certificates submitted by him according to the legal requirements or other original documents containing the necessary data.

When the employment record book is lost or destroyed due to the fault of the employer, the Labor Inspectorate shall oblige him within a period not exceeding one month to present the necessary certificate for the issuance of a new employment record according to the law.

When the employee has also worked for other employers, the employer requires from them certificates in accordance with the law. The collected certificates are submitted to the Labor Inspectorate according to the inventory. Employers are obliged to issue the required certificates within 7 days of their request.

According to the Bulgarian legislation, the employment record book is the main certifying document for facts and circumstances related to the employment of the employee and is important for a number of his employment rights. The employment record book always has a public certification value. Its issuance according to a model approved by the state and the recognition of its certifying significance gives the official character of this document.

The entries in the employment record book are made by officials, within the scope of their service, in the form and in accordance with the procedure established by law. The employment record book is kept by the employee, who is obliged to present it to the employer upon request, as well as to enter new circumstances in it.

As a certifying document, the employment record book testifies to the facts reflected in it. These facts are related to the work of the employee.

Reference:

Art. 7 of the Ordinance on the employment record book and length of service