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EU PolicyWatch

Database of national-level policy measures

Eurofound's EU PolicyWatch collates information on the responses of government and social partners to the COVID-19 crisis, the war in Ukraine, rising inflation, as well as gathering examples of company practices aimed at mitigating the social and economic impacts.

Factsheet for measure BG-2020-11/1574 – measures in Bulgaria

VMware office Bulgaria: Successful adaptation of the work processes to the new business reality

VMware Бългаия: пример за успешно адаптиране на работните процеси към новите бизнес реалности

Country Bulgaria , applies nationwide
Time period Open ended, started on 13 March 2020
Context COVID-19
Type Company practices
Category Protection of workers, adaptation of workplace
– Changes in work organisation
Author Tsetomila Sabcheva and Luboslav Kostov (Citub) and Eurofound
Measure added 08 December 2020 (updated 25 January 2021)

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

    • Economic area Sector (NACE level 2)
      J - Information And Communication J62 Computer programming, consultancy and related activities
      J63 Information service activities
    • Occupation (ISCO level 2)
      Information and communications technology professionals

Sources

Citation

Eurofound (2020), VMware office Bulgaria: Successful adaptation of the work processes to the new business reality, measure BG-2020-11/1574 (measures in Bulgaria), EU PolicyWatch, Dublin, https://static.eurofound.europa.eu/covid19db/cases/BG-2020-11_1574.html

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Disclaimer: This information has not been subject to the full Eurofound evaluation, editorial and publication process.