Background information

The example of VMware Bulgaria is a showcase of how technological companies in Bulgaria generally adapted to the new business reality triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic. VMware managed to make a successful transition to a hybrid work model by granting its employees the opportunity to work from home or other places that enable them to pursue their professional and personal goals. The process has been very quick and smooth, as the products and services of the company are mainly in a cloud environment and are based on technological solutions for remote work. While continuing to expand its team in Bulgaria, the company duly takes care of its employees’ safety and well-being, by providing various opportunities and benefits.

Content of measure

Remote work:

• The company complies with all safety requirements related to the pandemic both globally and locally. For that reason it continues with the strictly recommended work from home; office is visited only in exceptional cases. The team has switched to home office mode since the beginning of the emergency situation (mid. March 2020). Thanks to the company’s focus on technology, it managed to ensure a smooth workflow and has even detected increase in productivity.

Benefits to employees:

• 10 additional days of pandemic leave that can be used throughout the calendar year have been granted to the employees.
• A Well-Being Allowance offers employees an equitable reimbursement that can be used for anything that has to do with their physical, emotional and financial condition as well as with their community. The allowance can be used, for example, to sign up for some membership, class or program, to purchase a new bike or pair of skis - if outdoor sport helps employees feel calm and happy.
• Financial support for adapting the space at home more comfortable for work.
• Support programs on personal issues - legal, psychological, etc.

Use of measure

1,300 employees.

Contents

• Bonuses
• Health and safety
• Leave arrangements
• Telework
• Work organisation

Target groups

Workers	Businesses	Citizens
Employees in standard employment	Larger corporations	Does not apply to citizens

Actors and funding

Actors	Funding
Company / Companies	Companies

Social partners

Social partners' role in designing the measure and form of involvement:

	Trade unions	Employers' organisations
Role	No involvement	No involvement as case not in social partner domain
Form	Not applicable	Not applicable

Social partners' role in the implementation, monitoring and assessment phase:

• No involvement
• Main level of involvement: Company level

Involvement

No involvement.

Views and reactions

No involvement.

Sectors and occupations

Sources

• 11 June 2020: Interview for Economy.bg media: Covid-19 did not affect us negatively (www.economy.bg)
• 12 July 2020: VMware website / Careers: Empowering employees to work from anywhere (careers.vmware.com)
• 01 September 2020: VMware website: WellBeing Allowance September 2020 (benefits.vmware.com)
• 05 October 2020: Interview for Economy.bg media: Additional benefits to employees (www.economy.bg)
• 29 October 2020: Forbes article: Remote work: a given, not a gain (forbesbulgaria.com)