07.08.2023
THE HEALTH CONTRIBUTION HAS GONE UP
From 1 August 2023, people who pay their own compulsory health contributions (e.g. long-term unemployed, who do not receive unemployment benefits and are not insured by the state, etc.) and are not registered as self-insured within the meaning of the Social Security Code, owe BGN 31.20 per month.
From the first day of August this year, the minimum monthly insurance income for self-insured persons has been increased, and it is now BGN 780. According to the Health Insurance Act, the uninsured for other reasons are insured on an income not less than half of the minimum monthly income for self-employed individuals. Thus, the health insurance contribution for them is calculated at the rate of 8% on a monthly insurance income of no less than BGN 390 and no more than BGN 3,400 per month, reports the NRA press center.
The deadline for making these contributions is until the 25th of the month following the month to which they refer, the NRA reminds. Legal interest is charged for payment that is not made on time. The health contribution for August 2023, which is already BGN 31.20, must be paid by September 25, 2023 at the latest, and the contribution for July, which should be paid by August 25, is in the amount of BGN 28.40
All those who are required to pay their own health insurance contributions must submit a declaration Form 7 to the NRA, the revenue agency also reminds. In the section "Health insurance" on the website of the revenue agency, there is also information on filling out and submitting declaration Form 7.
The form must be submitted by the 25th of the month following the month for which the obligation to pay the health insurance contributions arose in an office of the National Revenue Agency, by mail with return receipt or through the electronic service of the revenue agency "Acceptance of declaration form No. 7 "Data on the occurrence of an obligation to pay health insurance contributions", accessible by Personal Identification Code or QES. Information on completing and submitting declaration Form No. 7 and paying the health contributions can also be found on the YouTube channel of the National Revenue Agency, the website of the revenue agency or by phone: 0700 18 700; +359 2 9859 6801 at a price according to the tariff of the telephone operator.
The health insurance rights of citizens, who are insured at their own expense, are interrupted if more than three due monthly installments have not been paid in a period of 36 months. The period is counted until the beginning of the month preceding the month in which the person sought medical assistance paid by the National Health Insurance Fund.
Interrupted health insurance rights of citizens are restored on the condition that all due health insurance contributions for the last 60 months are paid. Entitlements are reinstated from the date of payment of all due health insurance contributions for that period. The contribution can be paid free of charge at the NRA office through the available POS terminals at all customer service workplaces.
Citizens can check their health insurance status, as well as check the periods for which they lack health insurance contributions, through the NRA electronic service, which is freely accessible on the NRA Portal.
Clients of the administration can also inquire about their health status by phone: 0700 18 700 (at a price according to the tariff of the relevant operator). The service is automatic and requires only the entry of the PIN via the phone's keyboard. It is possible that the application will also ask you to enter a 6-digit code set by it, the so-called "captcha", to verify that you are not a robot. In addition, the system also gives data for all months and years for which no payments have been made the mandatory health insurance contributions. The telephone health status inquiry works 7 days a week, 24 hours a day.
04.08.2023
JOB OFFERS ARE DWINDLING
For the second month in a row, job offers continue to decrease.
There are also 8% fewer advertisements in the first half of the year compared to the same period in 2022. The data is on the largest platform for career development in our country.
According to experts, the main reason is the active holiday season, when both employers and job seekers are less active in the labor market.
Compared to the same period last year, however, job offers also decreased again by 8 percent. The explanation here is the decline in offers in the information technology sector. The trend started at the end of last year and currently nearly two-thirds of the annual drop in listings is in this sector.
A number of employers share a reduced or frozen budget for appointments or salary updates, which also leads to a reduction in job offers.
A decline was also reported in the "Trade and Sales", "Production", "Logistics and Transport" and "Construction" sectors. The number of advertisements in healthcare and pharmacy is increasing.
03.08.2023
SUCCESS TECHNIQUES: A QUESTION YOU CANNOT ANSWER
You've finished your presentation and it's time to answer questions from attendees. You see a lot of raised hands waiting for your attention. Some questions you answer easily, and for others you admit that there is no concrete answer. However, there are also questions you fear - the ones you can't answer.
Maybe it's about some functionality that your new app offers, or maybe it's about your company's initial public offering. Perhaps you are asked to comment on a recent significant event or respond to some criticism. In these types of situations, giving a clear, direct answer can put you at a disadvantage in some way. The real question is how to answer in such a way that you remain in good standing but also satisfy the questioner. Here are three techniques you can use to manage these types of challenging situations and answer questions you can't answer directly.
Reformat
When you get a difficult question, start by paraphrasing the query before you answer. This paraphrasing allows you to rephrase the question to make the process of finding an answer easier. For example, imagine that an important prospect asks you about the availability of a certain feature in your product—one that you know is unlikely to exist in the future. In this case, you might paraphrase the question like this: “Want to know more about our roadmap and the priority features we're working on? I will tell you more…”. By doing so, you broaden the question, giving you the opportunity to present a broader vision and perhaps highlight a close or related functionality to the feature your prospect is looking for. Reframing gives you a way to turn an awkward question into something more manageable while allowing you to redirect the communication.
Give a reason
Providing a legitimate reason for not answering a question directly is another tool you can use when you can't give a direct answer. Citing legal issues, regulatory guidelines, or established practices may serve as a valid reason not to respond directly. Alternatively, you can refer to an existing policy that prohibits commenting on questions like the one you were asked. Finally, you can attribute your inability to respond to a lack of information on the subject. For example, if someone asks what you think about the new direction a competitor is taking, you can say that you want to do more research before answering to make sure your answer is adequate and correct.
Give an explanation
In some situations, you can state that you cannot answer the question directly, but you can share some of the rationale or framework that will be used in addressing the topic of inquiry. For example, if you work for a private company and are asked about its plans to go public, you might say, "The question involves an internal decision that we may or may not make, but our choice will always be driven by a desire to we serve our customers, employees and investors in the best possible way.''
How to use paraphrasing, giving a reason, and giving an explanation
Using the rephrasing, reasoning, and explanation approach takes practice. Role-playing situations can help. For example, here's what this technique would look like if someone asked you, "When will this feature be included in your product?"
Taking the time to think about and answer difficult questions will ensure that you feel more comfortable when faced with them. Here's how to prepare for situations where you may be asked questions that will be difficult to answer:
Then practice answering potentially challenging questions out loud. Finally, validate your ideas by sharing your potential answers with colleagues to ensure consistency and support for your approach.
03.08.2023
TAX AND INSURANCE CHANGES IN THE 2023 BUDGET
In the State Gazette no. 66 of 01.08.2023 were promulgated:
Law on the state budget of the Republic of Bulgaria for 2023 and
State Social Security Budget Law 2023
In this regard, the more important changes are systematized below.
Minimum insurance income from 01.08.2023:
1) The minimum insurance income is increased to BGN 780.
2) The minimum insurance income for self-insured persons is increased to BGN 780.
The amount of the maximum monthly insurance income of BGN 3,400 is maintained.
New amount of monetary compensation for raising a child up to the age of 2 under Art. 53 of the Code for social insurance and for raising a child up to the age of 8 by the father (adoptive) under Art. 53g of the same code for 2023 – BGN 780. This change is retroactive from 01.01.2023.
The following additions are made to the Social Security Code: Remunerations relating to work done in the past are distributed for the days worked during which the work was done (Article 6, Paragraph 2). It has been added that self-insured fathers, who are insured for general illness and maternity, have the right to compensation under para. 6 of Art. 50 when they have 6 months of insurance experience as insured for this risk.
Declaration of cash balances and receivables from owners, staff and accountable persons
In Art. 123 in VAT is created para. 10, which reads:
When, at the end of a calendar quarter, the total amount of cash available in cash registers, the amount of receivables (including from granted loans) from owners, natural persons, workers, employees, persons employed under a management and control contract, and accountable persons exceeds BGN 50,000, the registered persons under this law, which are enterprises under the Accounting Law, declare separately for the corresponding calendar quarter with the declaration under Art. 55, para. 1 of the Law on Personal Income Taxes and Art. 201, para. 1 of the Law on Corporate Income Taxation, by the end of the month following the quarter, data from your current accounting records regarding:
The first period for which data is declared under the conditions and in accordance with Art. 123, para. 10 of the Value Added Tax Act, is the third quarter of 2023, as the declaration under Art. 55, para. 1 of the Law on Personal Income Taxes and Art. 201, para. 1 of the Law on Corporate Income Taxation shall be submitted by November 14, 2023.
Limiting some more cash payments and a free account for basic operations
In the Law on Restriction of Cash Payments in force from September 1, 2023, it was added that payments on the territory of the country are made only by transfer or payment to a payment account and for the following cases:
The administrations in the service of revenue collection operations and other receipts on bank accounts of budget organizations will not be able to refuse payments by card just because it was not issued in Bulgaria.
The corresponding amendment to the Labor Code was also made, regulating that when remuneration is paid by an employer under Art. 3, para. 1, item 3 of the Law on the Limitation of Cash Payments, its payment is made only by transfer or deposit to a payment account in a bank in the country specified by the worker or employee.
An amendment was made to the Law on Payment Services and Payment Systems, which regulates the so-called the free account for basic operations, creating Art. 120a, which reads:
Art. 120a. (1) When on account for basic operations under Art. 118, operations are carried out on the order of the holder, including cash withdrawals, no fees are paid for them, when they are at the expense of funds received from labor remuneration, pensions, benefits and benefits under social insurance and social assistance, scholarships for students and PhD students.
(2) The account for basic operations under Art. 118 is served free of charge when the account receives and stores funds under para. 1 and the interest on these funds.
(3) Paragraph 1 does not apply to withdrawing amounts through ATM and POS terminal devices of banks other than the servicing bank.
Important changes to food vouchers
Amendments are being made to the Corporate Income Tax Act in relation to meal vouchers.
From January 1, 2023 (with retroactive date) food vouchers under Art. 209, para. 1 of the Law on Corporate Income Taxation will also be able to be used to pay for electricity and heat energy, natural gas and water used for domestic needs, for activities carried out by cultural organizations under the Law on the Protection and Development of Culture and for showing films under the Film Industry Act, and of tourist services under the Tourism Act. There remains the amount of BGN 200 per month, provided in the form of vouchers for food, which will not be subject to social expenditure tax.
From January 1, 2024, "Food Vouchers in electronic media" are introduced. They are payment instruments that can only be used in a limited way and meet the conditions under Art. 2, para. 1, item 11, letter "c" of the Act on payment services and payment systems provided through the employer to employees, including those under management contracts, which are used to pay for food and food products in restaurants, quick service and food trade establishments, including grocery stores, supermarkets, hypermarkets and others, operating in accordance with the requirements of the Food Law, according to a service contract with an operator. Food vouchers in an electronic medium are not electronic money within the meaning of the Payment Services and Payment Systems Act. An electronic carrier can be a physical electronic carrier or a virtual electronic carrier and is only loaded with food vouchers by an operator.
The operators under Art. 209, para. 3 of the Corporate Income Tax Act can print and issue paper meal vouchers until 30 June 2024. After that date meal vouchers will only be able to be electronic.
For the period from January 1, 2024 to June 30, 2024, taxable persons may provide employees for a specific month only food vouchers in paper form under Art. 209 of the Law on Corporate Income Taxation or only food vouchers on electronic media under Art. 209a of the Law on Corporate Income Taxation.
Electronic slip
In the Road Traffic Act, it is added that an electronic slip or a criminal decree, the fine or the property sanction for which they have been paid, are also considered to have been served, and the date of payment is considered to be the date of service.
Transport of goods with high fiscal risk
Amendments have been made to the Tax and Insurance Procedural Code regarding the transportation of goods with a high fiscal risk. A person who transports such goods is required, when carrying out fiscal control, to declare in advance data on the transport of goods with a high fiscal risk.
02.08.2023
THE EMPLOYER HAS NO RIGHT TO INTERRUPT OUR LEAVE
Due to the increasingly noticeable lack of labor in some enterprises, some jobs remain unoccupied, which creates tension between workers and employees with the allocation of vacation days.
It is important to note that the practice of an employer unilaterally terminating paid annual leave that it has already granted is illegal.
The law in Bulgaria provides two options for interrupting the use of paid annual leave.
First of all, the use of paid annual leave can be interrupted when, during the use of paid annual leave, the worker or employee is allowed another type of paid (for example, leave due to temporary incapacity/sickness) or unpaid leave. When during the use of the paid annual leave the worker or employee is allowed another type of paid or unpaid leave, the use of the paid annual leave is interrupted at his request and the remainder is used additionally by agreement between him and the employer.
The interruption is carried out at the request of the worker or employee and the remainder is used additionally by agreement between him and the employer. The law does not provide for a special legal form for this request. In practice, this is usually done with a verbal request to interrupt the use of paid annual leave upon presentation of a sick leave or other document from which it is clear that a type of leave other than paid leave is permitted. In this case, it is also recommended that the procedure be formalized, through a freely prepared written statement by the worker/employee, which establishes the will of the party that the leave be interrupted and postponed for a later time.
Apart from these cases, the paid leave of the worker or employee may be interrupted by mutual agreement of the parties expressed in writing. For this purpose, the worker/employee or the employer should deliver a written request to the other party to interrupt the paid leave. Accordingly, the notified party should express his written consent for the leave to be interrupted from the relevant date and used additionally.
Apart from the two specified cases, the employer has no right to unilaterally (for example, by order) interrupt the use of paid annual leave, given that he has already authorized it for the specified period of time, unless the worker or employee gives his express written consent to this. The same applies in the opposite situation - without the written consent of the employer, the employee cannot unilaterally terminate the use of his annual leave, except in the cases listed above.
According to Bulgarian legislation, the amount of the basic paid annual leave is not less than 20 working days, and some categories of workers, depending on the special nature of the work, are entitled to extended paid annual leave.
Reference:
Art. 175, para. 1 of the Labor Code
Art. 175, para. 2 of the Labor Code
Art. 155, para. 4 of the Labor Code
Art. 155, para. 5 of the Labor Code
27.07.2023
SUCCESS TECHNIQUES: BE MORE CONVINCING AND CHARISMATIC IN TWO STEPS
Some people just grab attention and subtly gain our trust. Their presence puts us at ease, and their charisma makes every word that comes out of their mouths sound believable and compelling. This is a skill that every business owner can benefit from, but the question is how do you acquire it? This kind of charm may seem like a magic trick, an inexplicable gift from the universe, or some genetic endowment. However, science shows something different.
While some of us find it easier to be charismatic, research shows that exceptional charisma is built on certain actions and techniques. Just as some people may be born with more musical talent than others, but anyone can learn to play an instrument, we can all learn how to be more charming.
There are a whole range of skills that can help you improve your charisma, from basic actions like smiling more often and showing interest in what others have to say, to mental tricks and manipulative maneuvers. But recently we came across a trick that is super simple and not widely known.
Confidence goes hand in hand with persuasiveness
The trick appeared in an episode of the Stanford Business School's Think Fast, Talk Smart podcast, featuring a lengthy discussion between Penn University Wharton Professor Jonah Berger and Stanford professor Matt Abrahams. Berger is the author of several bestselling business books on marketing and persuasion, and his appearance on the podcast is related to his latest book, Magic Words.
As the title suggests, the book focuses on how subtle changes in language can have a big impact on people's behavior. Sounds like a great read for anyone involved in sales or persuasion. In the podcast, Berger presents listeners with some of the insights from the book. Among them is one of the simplest tips on how to appear more confident and convincing.
The people we find most fascinating, Berger notes, share one basic characteristic. "Whether it's gurus, startup founders, or leaders who are often thought of as charismatic, there's often something that connects them -- they speak with great confidence," he explains.
“There are, of course, situations where leaders really need to express doubt and uncertainty. But in general, "XYZ is the best solution" is more persuasive than "I think XYZ might be the best way," Berger adds.
"Is" is more convincing than "was"
Berger also suggests a more subtle change to make your words more persuasive—use the present tense.
"Often when we talk about something, we use the past tense: 'That restaurant had good food,' or 'The applicant's resume looked impressive,'" says Berger.
Using the past tense comes naturally to many of us, but it also makes you less persuasive, he insists.
"Their resume was impressive" implies that when you saw it last week you rated it impressive, but it doesn't mean you still find it impressive. However, when I say, "This resume is impressive," I'm saying that this thing has been true not just in the past, but forever. The very willingness of a person to make such a claim makes people think that he is much more convinced of it. As a result, they begin to believe it themselves," explains Berger.
If Berger is right, then making this simple change in time is well worth the effort. Simply replacing the past tense with the present is a magic trick that instantly makes you more charming and persuasive.
26.07.2023
ARE WE ENTITLED TO RETIREMENT COMPENSATION IF WE ARE UNEMPLOYED
Questions surrounding the acquisition and exercise of the right to retirement have always caused serious interest among both workers and employers.
On the one hand, all the preliminary preparation with the collection of the necessary documents and the procedures to be carried out are quite complex and specific, which is why one begins to research and prepare things properly years in advance.
On the other hand, which is actually the leading one, it is a question of money that a person should receive after completing his work.
Despite the increased interest in the subject, there are not a few cases in which workers do not know that, according to the law, they are entitled to compensation in monetary value, which is due to them when they terminate their employment contract and have accumulated the necessary age and length of service for retirement.
Of course, there is also the opposite example, where the person knows perfectly well that he should receive this compensation and directs his thoughts only to it, without expecting that in order to receive it, he should have fulfilled the legal conditions in full, because if anything, which does not meet the requirements, no compensation is received. An example of such a situation is when a person becomes eligible for a pension at a time when he is unemployed and seeks his benefit from "the state".
Whether we have the right to compensation upon retirement when we do not have an employment contract and who should pay this compensation?
Let us first of all recall the rule that, according to the law, upon termination of the employment relationship, after the worker or employee has acquired the right to a pension for length of service and age, regardless of the reason for the termination, he is entitled to compensation from the employer in the amount of his gross labor remuneration for a period of 2 months, and if he has acquired 10 years of work experience at the same employer or in the same group of enterprises in the last 20 years - to compensation in the amount of his gross labor remuneration for a period of 6 months. Compensation can only be paid once.
As can be inferred from the above, the law creates an obligation for the employer to pay compensation only upon termination of the employment relationship in cases where during its existence the worker or employee has acquired the right to a pension for length of service and age. This means that if, on the date of acquisition of the right to pension for insurance service and age, the worker or employee is not working, he is not entitled to this benefit.
When the right to a pension for length of service and age was acquired before the termination of the employment contract, when the worker or employee did not work, he is not entitled to the retirement benefit. For the same reason, when the worker or employee has acquired the right to a pension for length of service and age during a period in which he is unemployed, and then begins work, whether with a former employer or with another employer, upon termination of his employment the employer will not be obliged to pay him the compensation in question.
Reference:
Art. 222, para. 3 of the Labor Code
25.07.2023
THE PROCEDURE FOR AID FOR DAMAGED HOMES DURING DISASTERS IS SIMPLIFIED
The procedure for granting social assistance of up to BGN 2,500 to people and families whose homes have been damaged in crisis situations is being simplified.
The announcement to open a procedure for granting assistance under the new rules, which expand the scope of those assisted, was approved by order of the Minister of Labor and Social Policy, Ivanka Shalapatova, the MLSP reported.
According to the changes in the application conditions, the funds will be granted regardless of the income of the applicants for their home at their current address. There is no requirement that it be the only one, but the household must live in it permanently. This will enable more families to be helped.
People and families who have suffered in crisis situations such as floods, earthquakes, fires or other disasters are entitled to support from the "Social Protection" fund. The funds are allocated specifically for the purchase of equipment or furnishings for the damaged dwelling or object in a residential building. It must be legally built and legally occupied by the people in the household.
In order to be entitled to assistance from the fund, they must have received one-time assistance in connection with the crisis situation that has arisen in accordance with the Regulations for the Implementation of the Law on Social Assistance from the "Social Assistance" Directorate, on whose territory the dwelling at the current address is located. In the presence of identical assistance from the municipal administration, they must also be assisted with it, as well as if they did not receive financing for equipment and furnishings in any other way.
Social assistance in crisis situations is granted after submission of an application-declaration according to a model by the injured people in the municipal administration at the current address and presentation of all necessary documents. The board of directors of the "Social Protection" fund makes a decision on the granting of social assistance. The budget of the Fund for Social Assistance in Crisis Situations is up to BGN 860,000.
19.07.2023
DO I HAVE THE RIGHT TO TAKE A LOAN FROM MY EMPLOYER
In Bulgaria, labor relations are regulated only as employment relationships formed by an employment contract. The employment contract is concluded in writing between a worker or an employee and an employer.
The law requires that the contract be concluded before starting work, i.e. before its actual performance begins. As we have already discussed in other texts, there is no obstacle between the two parties to enter into other agreements with each other, the most common example of this being in the form of a civil contract.
Does the law in our country allow the worker and the employer to enter into another type of bond relationship, without this being an obstacle to the employment relationship, are there any restrictions on the ways of settling such relationships?
The parties to the employment relationship may also enter into any other relations with each other that have nothing to do with employment. There are no restrictions in the law, for example, on the employer granting a monetary or other loan to a worker or employee, with the stipulation of returning the amount at certain periods of time or in a manner that both parties have agreed upon.
There is certainly no obstacle in the law for the employer to be at the same time the landlord of the worker or employee who lives in a dwelling owned by the employer. The same applies to other similar examples of such relationships. It is important to specify that these relations are subject to general civil legislation, and if a dispute arises from them, it will be subject to resolution according to the general procedure, and not according to the procedure for resolving labor disputes.
In other words, bond relationships (provision of a loan under certain conditions, provision of housing and payment of rent for its use, etc.) have nothing to do with employment, and in no way can it be a question of any conflict of interest or of any other kind violation of legislation.
However, practice knows many cases of misunderstanding and confusion of these relations. It is common for the employer to make deductions from the worker's or employee's wages in order to repay the amount of the loan or other type of obligation, without the worker's express consent. The law comprehensively specifies the types of deductions that can be made from the labor remuneration without the consent of the worker or employee.
Disciplinary dismissal for failure to fulfill the employee's obligations as a tenant in housing owned by the same employer will also be a violation of the law. The Labor Code states that violations of labor discipline are sanctioned through disciplinary liability, and the given example has nothing to do with that.
In summary, it can also be said that even if simultaneous and parallel bond relations have arisen between the parties to the employment contract, their development and control should not be mixed with the rights and obligations under the employment contract. If such a situation were to be subject to administrative or judicial review, the employer's actions would likely be found to be unlawful because they were undertaken on the basis of the employment relationship.
19.07.2023
FIGHTING BOREDNESS AT THE WORKPLACE
There are probably tasks in your job that you don't like to do. Every job has aspects that can be unpleasant, and we all have days when we are not motivated to do our best. However, what can we say about the cases in which a person constantly feels bored and can't wait for the working day to end?
The first step here is to find out what is causing you to feel this way.
"When people are bored, they fill their time with 'hollow activities' such as online shopping, overeating, endlessly scrolling through social media, etc.," says Annie Rosenkrans, director of people and culture at the HR services platform HiBob. "Boredom at work is no different, but these types of activities there can have a serious impact on your ability to stay in your position," she adds.
Boredom can be a sign of something you are neglecting. Consider if one of these five situations doesn't apply to you:
Your work is no longer challenging
While everyone sometimes gets bored with the workplace routine, it doesn't have to be the norm, much less describe your daily routine, says Rosenkrans. "It tells you that the job isn't challenging enough, that you're no longer engaged," she explains.
The good news is that finding a solution is up to you. Start by acknowledging your lack of challenges, then identify the root cause and address it with your boss. Rosenkrans says one potential solution is to get involved in new projects, and another is to think about whether it's time to take on a different role and talk to your boss about a promotion.
“You may have outgrown the company, or you may have dreamed of a complete career change but never had the courage to make the move. What you do and how you solve the problem is entirely in your hands. It's very empowering,” she says.
A lack of challenge may mean you've reached a "career maturity point," adds Yolanda Owens, chief career coach at The Muse.
“You grow and mature in your career just like you do in your personal life. Your preferences, tastes, priorities, and circumstances change, causing you to mature and lose interest in your environment, becoming bored with the activities it offers you," Owens adds.
When this happens, Owens suggests evaluating whether you can refocus your skills in another role or reevaluate your work environment to see if you can feel purposeful and productive in your work again.
You are ready for a new field of development
Boredom can also result from outgrowing not just a job, but an industry or field, says Mark Berry, senior human resources specialist at Insperity.
"Today's workers can expect to have multiple careers in their lifetime," he says. "With that comes the possibility that some bored employees may find that they've outgrown a certain industry or field that once suited their personality, goals and interests."
If you're constantly bored even when presented with challenging and engaging projects in your field, you may be ready for a new career development. Berry suggests talking openly with HR about the possibility of transferring to a new department, joining a rotational program, or seeking training to acquire new professional skills.
You have moved on to repetition of the same tasks, which does not require thought
Humans are lazy and energy-saving creatures. We often stop looking for challenges and turn off our brains when we know how to complete a task after repeated repetitions, says Stefan Falk, author of Intrinsic Motivation: Learn to Love Your Work and Succeed as Never Before.
"Instead, we shift to a behavior where we do the tasks out of habit," he says.
Doing tasks out of habit is good from an energy-saving point of view, but it leads to boredom because the tasks are no longer challenging. What's more, when we do tasks that we think are boring, our performance tends to suffer, making them even more boring, Falk explains.
"It's important for professionals to understand that over time, all tasks will become boring - even the ones we love and have motivated us in the past - if we don't challenge ourselves and use our energy to develop our skills," he adds.
You have strayed from your goal
Boredom in the workplace can also be a signal that you don't understand why you're doing what you're doing, says Nathan Pearson of human capital management firm Paycor.
"When employees feel bored at work, they should consider whether their managers are providing them with meaningful tasks and opportunities for development, and an environment that allows them to thrive," he says.
Pearson advises asking yourself if your job is still the best fit for you. "If the answer is yes, then the next step would be to talk to your line managers about taking on new tasks or getting clarification on the company's goals and vision to better understand why you're doing these things." Take the time to consider what this job offers you besides the salary. If nothing else, it might not be the right place for you,” he says.
You are involved in a negative workplace environment
Unfortunately, the usual environment in many organizations is negative, says Falk. Constantly complaining people and those always looking for a way to conflict with others are a common sight in many workplaces.
"Being surrounded by or engaging in negativity directs the mind to focus only on the bad aspects of work, which causes us to subconsciously view interesting tasks as less enjoyable and boring tasks as downright boring," he explains.
Falk says the solution is to choose wisely when it comes to who you spend time with at work so that your experience is enhanced.
A new Gallup survey finds that only 36% of employees say they are engaged in their work and workplace, meaning the majority of people are not. By taking the time to understand why you are bored, you can make the necessary changes to improve your situation. Since you spend about a third of your life at work, the effort will definitely be worth it.
