Amendments to the Bulgarian Labour Code concerning the remote work were adopted in March 2024.
Place of work
The workplace for remote workers is required to be not generally the employee's home, but a specific premise in the employee's home. It is also provided that more than one place of work can be agreed.
The remote workers may also request temporary change of the workplace for up to 30 working days per year.
Health & safety rules
The responsibility for health and safety conditions have been clarified, and slightly shifted towards remote workers.
The employer is responsible for:
-Taking measures to ensure that the workplaces meet the health and safety rules;
-Providing the necessary information on the risks to the employee’s health and safety, and appropriate health and safety trainings.
The remote worker may be responsible when he/she has:
-Contributed to the work accident by being grossly negligent
-Failed to comply with the prescribed health and safety rules and regulations
Right to disconnect
The new rules implement the right to disconnect. Remote workers are not obliged to respond to communication from the employer during the daily and weekly rest periods (unless otherwise agreed in the employment contract).
Performance reporting systems
Detailed rules and specific obligations are defined in case the employer has implemented performance reporting systems or algorithmic work management. Employer is obliged to inform the employee about the type and amount of work-related data collected and on how automated decision-making works. The employer should also provide the remote workers with access to the data in the system regarding the work time spent.