28.06.2024
SLIGHT DECREASE IN UNEMPLOYMENT IN MAY
The Employment Agency reports a level of registered unemployment of 5.4% in May. The decrease is 0.24 percentage points compared to April. The total number of registered unemployed persons at the end of the month was just over 154,000 - 6,700 less than the previous month.
Employment
- Those who started work: In May, about 17,400 unemployed people started work, which is more than 1,100 more than in April.
- Other groups: Including 360 pensioners, students and employed people who also found work with the help of the employment offices.
New registrations of unemployed
- New registrations: In May, just over 18,300 new unemployed persons registered at the labor offices, which is 17% less than in April.
- Other groups: In addition, around 3,400 employed, learners and pensioners have registered, an increase of over 2,100 persons compared to the previous month.
Activation of inactive persons
- Activation: Thanks to the efforts of Roma and youth mediators, as well as labor mediators, more than 4,000 persons inactive on the labor market were activated in May.
Free workplaces
- Primary Market: The number of job vacancies reported fell to around 11,500 in May, down from 15,600 in April.
- Real economy: The most vacancies are in manufacturing (about 25%), trade (about 17%), hotels and restaurants (about 12%), public administration (about 11%), construction (about 6%) and administrative and support activities (about 5%).
Subsidized jobs
- Risk groups: About 4,400 representatives of risk groups found work in May through subsidized jobs.
- State budget: 56 people started work under employment programs and measures financed by the State budget.
- ESF+: 4,342 people started work on projects of the Human Resources Development Program 2021-2027, financed by ESF+.
- Vouchers for trainings: About 4,900 vouchers for digital trainings have been issued under the project "Component 2: Trainings for DI-GI skills and competences" under the National Recovery and Resilience Plan.
Most wanted professions
In the month of May, the professions most in demand by businesses include:
- Sellers;
- Personnel in the field of personal services;
- Workers in the mining and processing industry;
- Construction and transport workers;
- Waste collection and related workers;
- Staff caring for people;
- Machine operators of stationary machines and equipment;
- Drivers of motor vehicles and mobile equipment;
- Skilled workers in the production of food, clothing, wooden products and related;
- Cleaners and helpers;
- Economic and administrative specialists, etc.
The past month saw an improvement in the labor market with a decrease in unemployment and an increase in the number of people starting work. However, the number of vacancies in the primary market has shrunk.
27.06.2024
SCIENTIFICLY PROVEN: YOU HAVE A BIG INFLUENCE BY SPEAKING IN A LOWER VOICE
Scientific research has confirmed that you can influence your interlocutors much more strongly if you lower your voice in the first minutes of communication.
People tend to associate this way of speaking with more prestige, says Dr. Joey Chen. She and her colleagues focused in this study on the influence of the voice on the transmission of status. In other words, what impression do people make about themselves and how does this affect the behavior of others.
After a series of experiments, it turns out that by speaking quietly, with a lower and denser voice, they achieve both an effect of prestige and dominance. In the first case, they gain respect. In the second case, it is also mixed with a certain amount of awe.
In one of the experiments, the participants were gathered live and had to complete a group task. The scientists found that those who lowered their voices at the beginning gave the impression of dominance to others. The others were more willing to listen to them, comply and carry out what they asked and suggested for the completion of the task.
In another experiment, participants listened to audio recordings without seeing the speakers and had to make judgments about them. "We found that when the voice on the recording was lowered, people judged the person as more authoritative and stronger," commented Dr. Chen.
"Our study adds to the evidence that humans, like many other animals, use their voices to signal and assert dominance over others. Furthermore, no matter what groups we observed—with what culture and in what context, when communicating, people inevitably split into leaders and followers and a kind of hierarchy is formed," summarizes the head of the study.
This study focuses on the first minutes of communication, in which strangers form their first impressions of each other. But other research shows that when you talk to your boss, colleagues or familiar partners, the same mechanisms are at work. A quiet and deep voice instills respect and dominance in them, they begin to listen to you and you have a better chance of achieving what you want.
The shouts, the high and shrill voice reveal a nervous, aggressive, ill-mannered person who is not confident in himself, cannot control himself and when communicating, he compensates by using his behavior to intimidate and impose himself by force.
The result is that the natural defensive reaction of his interlocutors is triggered and they become less inclined to cooperate with him. They don't even want to listen to him because he annoys and worries them with his way of speaking.
26.06.2024
HOW PAY CHANGES WHEN WORKING HOURS ARE REDUCED
In business life, it is possible for working hours to change due to various circumstances. However, it is important to realize that these changes do not automatically lead to a reduction in wages. What exactly does the Bulgarian Labor Code provide in this context?
In modern society, where labor relations develop at a dynamic pace, the question of the amount of labor remuneration is of critical importance. The remuneration agreed in the employment contract is a right of the worker. Employers cannot impose wage reductions unilaterally and without workers' consent.
The law is clear - for any change in the amount of labor remuneration, written consent is required from both partners in the labor relationship - worker or employee and employer.
If an employer decides unilaterally to reduce the remuneration without the employee's consent, this is considered a violation of the law. Such action may result in legal consequences, including litigation and liability for compensation.
The inadmissibility of unilateral reductions in labor remuneration not only protects the rights of workers, but also affirms the principle of mutual trust and respect in labor relations. Bulgarian legislation clearly emphasizes that any change in wages must be the result of a mutual understanding and agreement between the employer and the employee.
Is it possible to unilaterally reduce working hours and salary? When the employer introduces part-time work, this does not mean an automatic and unilateral reduction of the remuneration. In order for such a change to take place, a clear and express written agreement between the employee and the employer is required.
It is important to emphasize that the order to reduce working hours cannot determine a new, reduced amount of wages corresponding to the reduced working hours. This question does not constitute a dispute as to whether the amount of remuneration should be reduced, because it objectively follows from the reduced working hours.
The common mistake that employers make is to specify in an order to reduce working hours, respectively, a point governing the remuneration, which they define as "proportional to the time worked". It is important to know that this does not meet the requirements of the Labor Code.
According to the Labor Code in Bulgaria, a change in the amount of remuneration is possible only and only with the written consent of the employee and the employer. This requires an additional written agreement, where the clauses related to the modification of the salary amount must be clearly stated.
Only through a unilateral order of the employer can a change in the amount of pay be made, if the amount is increased through it. This means that the employer can only unilaterally increase the remuneration, without the need for prior consent from the employee.
In the event that the worker does not agree with the proposed change in the remuneration conditions and does not sign the additional agreement, this does not give rise to legal consequences. In this case, the terms of the already signed employment contract or additional agreement apply.
It is important that all workers and employers are informed about these legal aspects in order to ensure clarity, fairness and legality in the employment relationship.
Reference:
Art. 66, para. 1, item 1 of the Labor Code
Art. 118, para. 1 and para. 3 of the Labor Code
Art. 119 of the Labor Code
Art. 138a, para. 2 of the Labor Code
Art. 272, para. 1 of the Labor Code
Art. 210, para. 4 of the Labor Code
25.06.2024
WE CAN NOW GET OUR OWN DIGITAL SKILLS CERTIFICATE
With a new module from the Ministry of Labor and Social Policy, you can now get yourself a digital skills certificate to present yourself when applying for a job. The module for self-certification of digital competence allows every citizen to test their knowledge for free and receive a certificate that they have basic and/or intermediate level digital skills that have been acquired in the work process or through self-study, explained the minister of labor and social policy Ivaylo Ivanov.
The module is available at the following email address: selfexam.chrdri.net or at the following link https://skills.mlsp.government.bg/ in the "Self-certify your digital skills" section. Testing and certification are conducted online by the Center for Human Resource Development and Regional Initiatives at the Ministry of Labor and Social Policy. After a successfully passed test, an electronic certificate for the level of digital competence is issued, which is based on a model approved by the Minister of Labor and Social Policy, the department adds. The process is easy and convenient for everyone who wants to confirm their digital competences and get a certificate. Certification provides numerous benefits, including increased competitiveness in the labor market, improved professional skills and development opportunities.
To access the module, pre-registration is required, based on which an access link is sent to e-mail. After verifying the registration, with a username and password, you can proceed to the self-certification in the module. If questions arise, support can be requested from 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. from the call center on tel. 0876 91 68 84. Technical and methodological assistance will be provided by e-mail: selfexam_support@chrdri.net, added by MLSP.
"Many of the knowledge and skills today are acquired on the job or through self-study, but until now there was no way for a person to prove that he possessed them. The module for their self-validation is a chance both for people to find a better realization on the labor market and for employers to find the workers and employees who are most suitable for their activity", commented Minister Ivanov.
The module for self-certification of digital competence was created under Component 2 of project P3 - C1.13 "Providing digital skills training and creating a platform for adult education", which is financed under the National Recovery and Resilience Plan. The main goal of the project is to provide opportunities for the acquisition and certification of digital skills and competencies by the workforce, which will be in line with the new needs of the labor market and the entry of digital technologies into socio-economic processes. With the implementation of the project activities, the employability of the labor force will be improved, including people in a disadvantaged position on the labor market.
24.06.2024
HOW FAMILY BUSINESSES AND ARTISANS CAN GET FINANCIAL HELP
The Ministry of Innovation and Growth launched an information campaign to present the procedure "Support for family businesses, enterprises from creative industries and crafts" from the "Competitiveness and Innovations in Enterprises" Program.
As part of the campaign, experts from the General Directorate "European Funds for Competitiveness" at the Ministry of Innovation and Growth - managing body of the Program "Competitiveness and Innovation in Enterprises" will present the procedure to interested parties in the cities of Blagoevgrad, Montana, Gabrovo, Targovishte, Plovdiv and Haskovo.
The information days are open and will be held according to the following schedule:
The main objective of the procedure is to encourage investments to improve production capacity and optimize business processes in family businesses, enterprises from the creative industries and crafts and thus contribute to increasing their competitiveness and strengthening their market presence.
The total budget is BGN 117.5 million. The minimum amount of the grant for an individual project is BGN 15,000, and the maximum is up to BGN 150,000. The maximum intensity (percentage) of the co-financing that will be provided under the Program " Competitiveness and Innovation in Enterprises' is up to 75% for family businesses and enterprises from the creative industries, and up to 85% for enterprises from the craft sector.
The measure is mainly aimed at micro- and small enterprises, as they can apply for the acquisition of new machines, facilities, equipment, tools, as well as specialized software, ensuring the improvement of their production capacity. There is also an opportunity to promote market performance through the creation of an online store for the products or services offered by the companies.
The deadline for submitting project proposals is 16:30 on September 16,2024.
Link to register for the information days.
24.06.2024
THE EMPLOYMENT AGENCY HAS STARTED ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR TRAINING WITH VOUCHERS FOR EMPLOYED PEOPLE
The Employment Agency accepts applications for training with vouchers under the "Qualification, skills and career development of employed persons" project. Eligible candidates for participation are employed and self-employed persons.
The project is financed by the Human Resources Development Program 2021-2027, co-financed by the European Union through the European Social Fund Plus. It aims to provide support for professional development and flexible training opportunities, as well as to increase professional qualifications and skills, including and digital. Its total budget is BGN 50 million. It is expected that 13,900 employees will be included in the training.
It is planned to provide training for the acquisition and improvement of a professional qualification or a qualification in a part of a profession. The employment agency will also provide vouchers for courses in foreign language communication, for mathematical competence and for competence in the field of exact sciences, technology and engineering. Employed and self-employed people will also be able to take digital competence training for advanced level (5 and 6 according to DigComp) and highly specialized level (7 and 8 according to DigComp), as well as for acquiring personal and social competence and learning skills. Vouchers will also be available for entrepreneurial competence courses.
Training with vouchers will contribute to the achievement in 2030 of the national goal in the Employment Strategy: 35.4% of all people aged 25 to 64 have been trained in the previous year, as well as to increase the share of the population with at least basic digital skills.
Find your desired training and training provider here.
Applications for training vouchers can only be submitted by electronic application here. After submitting the application, the applicant will receive by e-mail information about the number under which he is registered in the system of the Employment Agency. If approved, he will be issued an electronic voucher for the requested training, and if not approved, he will receive a reasoned answer.
Additional information, as well as consultation on inclusion in training with vouchers, can be obtained at all labor offices in the country and at the Central Office of the Employment Agency.
21.06.2024
NEARLY 6,300 UNEMPLOYED PEOPLE WILL BE INCLUDED IN TRAININGS UNDER PROJECTS OF THE SOCIAL PARTNERS
The Employment Agency signed contracts with the social partners for the implementation of projects under the National Employment Action Plan in 2024.
The projects will provide an opportunity for 6,278 unemployed persons to participate in training for the acquisition of a professional qualification and/or key competence, and at least 35% of them will be included in employment afterwards.
The trainings are aimed at vulnerable groups on the labor market - unemployed youth up to 29 or over 55, long-term unemployed, persons with low or unsought professional qualifications and a lack of key competences, including with low education, as well as to persons outside the labor force, discouraged persons and others.
The projects of the social partners to be implemented in 2024 are:
"WORTHY FUTURE" project of the Association of Industrial Capital in Bulgaria - provides for the inclusion of 880 unemployed persons in training for the acquisition of key competencies and professional training in 16 professions, of which at least 320 persons will be included in employment.
According to the "EFFECTIVE MEASURES FOR EMPLOYMENT" project of the Bulgarian Industrial Association, trainings on "Personal skills for teamwork, in the process of employment" will be held for 240 persons and "Effective time management" for 300 persons. A total of 906 unemployed people will acquire professional qualifications in 19 different professions, and 329 of them will be provided with employment in the profession acquired by the training.
In the activities of the "TOMORROW - Successful Labor Realization" project of the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, it is planned to include 877 unemployed persons in training in 14 professions and acquisition of personal competence, social competence and competence to acquire learning skills. 321 persons will be provided with employment in the profession acquired through the project training.
In the activities of the project "KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS FOR WORK - 3" of the Confederation of Employers and Industrialists in Bulgaria, it is planned to include 940 unemployed persons in training in 15 professions and the acquisition of personal competence, social competence and competence to acquire learning skills and effective communication skills. 329 persons will be provided with employment in the profession acquired through the project training.
"KNOW AND WE CAN MORE" project of the Union for Economic Initiative will give 705 unemployed people the opportunity to undergo training on the key competence "Personal competence, social competence and competence to acquire learning skills" on the topic "Management of personal effectiveness". The persons included will have the opportunity to undergo professional training in one of the 12 professions foreseen. This will give a chance to at least 248 of the 705 trained persons to be placed in suitable jobs requested by employers - project partners.
The "CHANCE FOR GREEN AND SOCIAL EMPLOYMENT" project of the Confederation of Independent Trade Unions in Bulgaria includes training for 1,050 people in seven professions. Employment will be ensured for at least 56.4% of the unemployed persons included in the project trainings, and the employment will be in accordance with the qualification acquired under the project.
Under Project "HORIZONTI 9" of Confederation of Labor "PODKREPA" trainings will be held on key competence "Personal competence, social competence and competence for acquiring learning skills" - topic "Skills for competitive inclusion in the labor market" for 920 persons. The persons involved will acquire qualifications in 15 professions. After the successful completion of the training, employment will be provided to 376 persons.
In implementing the projects of the social partners, the Employment Agency will apply a complex approach. Specialized services will be provided for counseling and motivating the unemployed to actively participate in the planned trainings for professional qualifications and key competencies sought in the labor market. A large part of those who have successfully completed vocational training will be employed for a period of no less than 3 months in the primary labor market or in subsidized jobs, and the funding will be shared between the state and employers.
20.06.2024
SUCCEEDING WITH A BLUE OCEAN STRATEGY
Purple is fashionable this year. But to succeed in your career, you need to choose the right one from the two colors that make it up - blue and red.
The correct one is blue. It gives the name of an economic strategy that will work for you if you plan to become a manager. You can successfully apply it in your being an employee.
The "red ocean" and "blue ocean" theory was developed by W. Chan Kim and René Mauborneau. The names describe economic situations.
With a little more imagination, you can imagine the situation in the red ocean - it is teeming with fish, the big ones or just the more predatory eat the small ones and blood gushes out.
The other ocean is not overcrowded, no one is biting and the water is calm blue.
This, of course, is a poetic image that the authors have invented to make their theory memorable - in no business and in no company are things completely calm. But the "lyrical hero" well illustrates the essence of the strategy.
In short, you have a much better chance of success if you choose to pursue a job where the competition is not fierce. In business, this means finding a niche market and creating a new product, for example. In your daily life, being an employee means to engage in an activity in which colleagues will not compete with you.
To do this, however, you need to get rid of myths imposed by corporate culture and harmful habits that you may have created yourself.
Teamwork is such a fashionable and cult-like principle that in many companies both bosses and subordinates at some point forget what it's like to work alone and show self-initiative. At the same time, sociological research has shown that more than half of employees hate collective work. And a large part do not have the necessary skills for it - it implies not only professional, but also social qualities. Teamwork is a lack of efficiency when it is within the power of one employee to do what is assigned to an entire group. But often, middle managers insure themselves by doing just that.
You will find yourself in a "blue ocean" if you apply to work alone. Naturally, you have to think carefully about whether it is within your power so that you don't fail. This is your chance to show your abilities without depending on your colleagues and without suffering negativity when one of them fails, either because he is incompetent, or because he is lazy.
It is only natural that after such success, you will be assigned more independent projects, receive a salary increase and climb the hierarchy.
The bad habit you have to get rid of in order to swim in the "blue ocean" is slacking off. Very often subordinates refrain from suggesting ideas because they know that all or at least most of the work of implementing them falls on the author. When you think about it, it's only natural that it should be, and that's exactly where your chance for career success lies.
Most people are content to just do tasks assigned by the boss. Thus, they find themselves in a "red ocean" with dozens or hundreds of other employees who do quite similar activities and bite each other to the bone in an effort to be noticed by the boss. No one will pay attention to you if you are like everyone else. Your new product is your idea of how to complete a given task so that the team or company gets a better result. When you make a reasonable offer, you will find yourself in a "blue ocean" among the few who not only want to develop in their profession, receive more money, occupy a higher position, but also take action to achieve their goals.
In addition to a proper understanding of your behavior, a plan is also needed. Come up with your personal "Blue Ocean" strategy, specify what to start with and what you plan to achieve by the end of July, for example. In any strategy, it's important to have smaller, faster-achieving goals within the long-term goal to keep yourself motivated by success.
Be prepared to find yourself in a "red ocean" at some point. No one can once and for all swim in the "blue ocean", because there are always colleagues who also move into it, and bloody competition begins. And you still have to look for blue depths. But you already know how the strategy works.
19.06.2024
TRIAL PERIOD IN THE EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT: ADVANTAGES AND RISKS
At the time of the job search, when the offer of a new position finally appears, the worker receives an employment contract, which in most cases includes a clause for a trial period arranged in favor of the employer.
This inevitably causes mixed feelings of excitement and anxiety. Is this practice an advantage to the employer, or can a probationary period benefit the employee if properly understood and managed wisely?
The trial period in the employment contract represents a certain period during which the employee and the employer can assess whether their expectations and requirements correspond to reality. This term can be agreed in favor of the employer, the employee or both parties, depending on the specific situation and contract between the parties.
Before concluding an employment contract in which the trial period is in favor of the employer, the employee should carefully consider what his personal and professional goals are. Whether it is his first job after graduating, or he has changed several employers, a trial period can be an advantage, as it gives the worker the opportunity to adapt to the new working conditions and to make sure that the job position suits his expectations. Also, this period can be a time to acquire new knowledge and skills, as well as to develop relationships with colleagues and superiors.
When the trial period is arranged in favor of the employer, it means that he has the right during this period to terminate the employment contract without notice and without the obligation to provide motivation for this step. This option is often used by employers who want to assess the ability and adaptability of the new worker in practice before engaging him on a permanent basis. This gives them the opportunity to make an informed decision about whether to keep the employee with the company after a successful trial period.
It is important to know that the law does not allow for the same work with the same worker or employee in the same enterprise to re-sign an employment contract with a trial period. But if the worker moves from one position to another, even in the same enterprise, it is permissible to conclude another labor contract between the same parties, with a different content and a trial clause.
For example, such a case is present when a secretary in a company moves to the position of accountant. It is important to note that during the trial the parties have all the rights and obligations as in the case of a final employment contract - the worker or employee has the right to a general basis of remuneration, agreed working hours, rest and holidays, recognition of the time of work experience and etc.
The trial period cannot be longer than 6 months. It does not include the time during which the worker or employee was on statutory leave (paid, unpaid, study, due to illness, etc.) or for other valid reasons did not perform the work for which the contract was concluded.
The employment contract is considered to be definitively concluded if it is not terminated by the party in whose favor the contract was for a trial period.
A trial period in an employment contract can provide valuable opportunities for both the employer and the employee. Regardless of whether this term is arranged in favor of the employer or the employee, it is important to understand the rights and obligations of each party.
Consulting with employment law specialists and wise preparation are the keys to successfully dealing with probation period issues in employment contracts. Ultimately, this period can be a chance to hone and improve both a worker's career and work skills if used wisely and strategically.
Reference:
Art. 70, para. 1 – 5 of the Labor Code
Art. 71, para. 1, para. 2 of the Labor Code
18.06.2024
THE DECLINE IN JOB OFFERS IN THE IT SECTOR IN OUR COUNTRY CONTINUES
Job offers in May were about 2,000 more than those in the previous month, which is a 4 percent growth on a monthly basis, according to the monthly analysis of the HR company and career site "JobTiger". The total number of offers at the end of May was just over 50,000, with almost all sectors seeing an increase in the number of listings.
The only exception is the IT sector, which reported nearly 200 fewer offers, or a drop of 6 percent.
Compared to the same period in 2023, there is no change in the total number of job offers - they are about 450 less than in May 2023, but this is a difference that can be made up within a day depending from the supply intensity, the company commented.
With the greatest growth in May are job offers in the sectors "Hospitality and restaurant industry" (680 offers more, 7 percent growth), "Logistics and transport" (600 offers more, 12 percent growth) and "Trade and sales" (380 offers more, 3 percent growth).
In the other sectors, the growth of proposals is as follows: "Manufacturing" (300 proposals more, 4 percent growth), "Healthcare and pharmacy" (130 proposals more, 6 percent growth), "Construction" (80 proposals more, 3 per hundred growth), "Marketing and advertising" (60 proposals more, 4 per hundred growth).
The sectors "Administrative and service activities" and "Accounting, audit, finance" saw a small increase, but overall the number of offers in them remained almost unchanged.
The analysis of supply by sector on an annual basis continues to show a decline in the IT sector (-25 per cent) and lower levels of supply in the sectors "Hospitality and Restaurant" (-10 per cent), "Marketing and Advertising" (-6 per cent) and "Production" (-3 per cent). In the remaining sectors, a higher number of proposals is reported compared to May 2023.
Work from home
According to the company's analysis, the number of offers for work from home and/or remote work remained unchanged in May - about 3,400. As a share of the total number of ads, this type of offer occupies 8 percent of the offer.
The distribution of this type of offer by sector is as follows: 47 percent in the IT sector, followed by "Administrative and service activities" (20 percent), the outsourcing (BPO) industry sectors (17 percent) and "Trade and sales " (10 percent).
Offer by city
The growth of offers in the leading regional cities continues. In Sofia it is 5 percent, and in the rest: Plovdiv (4 percent), Varna (2 percent), Burgas (2 percent), Ruse (10 percent) and Stara Zagora (6 percent).
In total, the offers in these cities are about 1,500 more, which is an increase of 5 percent.
As a share distribution in Sofia the ads are 40 percent, and in the other cities they are: Plovdiv (10 percent), Varna (10 percent), Burgas (5 percent), Ruse (3 percent) and Stara Zagora (3 percent hundred).
At the beginning of May, the career site reported that job offers increased by 5 percent in April, or by nearly 2,300 compared to the previous month. The company's monthly analysis said this was due almost entirely to increased supply in the Trade and Sales and Hospitality and Restaurant sectors.
