| Mission: | Human Resources, Education and CSR Committee provides a platform for HR professionals and consultants from multi-national and local companies to share, discuss and learn about the latest trends in HR sector as well as to collectively influence local policy and decision makers for effective solutions in labor legislation and education which will improve the Bulgarian labor market. The mission of the CSR Subcommittee is to encourage and facilitate responsible business practices among AmCham members and to support them to improve the quality and effectiveness of their CSR programs and actions. The Subcommittee will work to increase awareness on CSR issues and support companies’ leadership and staff through spreading information, ensuring learning and access to novelties, and generally creating a platform for sharing best practices in achieving CSR goals. |
| Chairs: | Mrs. Zlatina Kushkieva, Managing Partner, HR Consulting Partners
Mrs. Iva Todorova, AmCham Board Member and Government and Regulatory Affairs Executive, IBM Bulgaria |
| 2020 Activities | November 18, 2020 On November 18th, 2020, AmCham Human Resources and Education Committee held a virtual meeting on Diversity and Inclusion that was moderated by Zlatina Kushkieva, HR and Education Committee Co-chair and Managing Partner at HR Consulting Partners. Read the in-detail coverage from the virtual meeting. July 29, 2020 On July 29th, 2020 the HR & Education Committee organized a consecutive webinar to present two opportunities for partnerships. At the opening Iva Todorova, Co-Chair of the committee and Board member presented the recent activities of the Chamber incl. the feedback with proposals that AmCham sent last week to the Ministry of Labor and Social Works with regard of the open for discussion Amendments and Supplements Act of the Labor Code. Read more here. July 18, 2020 AmCham Bulgaria Position on the Bill for Amendments and Supplements of the Labor Code. Read the Position here. April 6, 2020 AmCham Bulgaria sent a position and proposal to the Government with regard the recently introduced and discussed support to employers, the so-called Rule 60/40. Read the position here. February 11, 2020 On February 11th, 2020 the HR & Education Committee had a planned meeting at the American Corner at the Sofia City Library. Both Co-Chairs of the committee – Iva Todorova and Zlatina Kushkieva – welcomed the audience of 30 professionals from the AmCham HR community. The event had two main topics covered by some of the top-HR experts. First, it was the presentation of Rumiana Bosseva, CEO, ARS Bulgaria on “Agile HR through Flexible Technologies”. The second presentation was the shared experience of Hewlett-Packard Global Delivery Bulgaria Center titled “Work That Fits Your Life”. You can read more about the event here. |
| Activities in 2019 | July 2019 On July 9th, 2019, the AmCham Human Resources and Education Committee held a meeting for best practice sharing with guest speakers:
Klimentina Rasheva, Managing Partner, Denkstatt Bulgaria, who delivered a presentation with topic “The potential for a holistic approach in workplace well-being” June 2019 On June 13th, 2019, the AmCham Human Resources and Education Committee held a meeting for best practice sharing with guest speakers: Metodi Georgiev, Executive Director of Cargill in Bulgaria and Head of Cargill Business Services in Sofia, who delivered a presentation with topic “Empowering the young” and presented an initiative of Sofia University powered by Cargill On June 4th, 2019, the AmCham Human Resources and Education Committee and the AmCham Quality Management Working Group held a joint meeting with topic “Change Management” with guest speakers: Dr. Vanya Babanin, Global Director Marketing & Communications, Monbat Group May 2019 On May 23rd, 2019, The AmCham Human Resources and Education Committee held a meeting with topic ¨Employee Engagement¨ with guest speakers: Anna Gabrovska, Country HR Manager, Coca-Cola Hellenic Bulgaria Iva Petrova, Fundraising and CSR Expert, BCause Foundation Svetlozar Petrov, Managing Director, JobTiger Toufic Hawly, Co-founder and Director of Business Development, Easy Exhibit April 2019 On April 23rd, 2019, The AmCham Human Resources and Education Committee held a meeting with topic ¨Employer Branding¨ with guest speakers: Anna Gabrovska, Country HR Manager, Coca-Cola Hellenic Bulgaria |
| Priority Areas and Activities in 2018 | Priority Areas and Activities in 2018 |
| Priority Areas for 2017 | HR, Education and CSR Committee Priorities for 2017 |
| Activities in 2017 | December 2017 On December 7th, 2017, the AmCham Human Resources, Education and CSR Committee held a meeting with Deputy Ministers of Labor and Social Policy Mrs. Zornitsa Rusinova and Mr. Lazar Lazarov who presented the priorities of the government in the area of labor and social policy and specific priorities for the Bulgarian Presidency of the Council of the EU 2018.
At the meeting, Committee Co-chairs Iva Todorova, IBM Bulgaria, and Zlatina Kushkieva, AVON Cosmetics Bulgaria, presented the recommendations of the AmCham White Paper 2017 in the area of labor policy and discussed with the Deputy Ministers the specific measures taken by the Ministry, as well as possible future collaboration in other areas of common interest. For more information about the meeting and discussed topics see enclosed: June 2017 Attached below are press release and presentations in Bulgarian: Press Release May 2017 April 2017 |
| Priority Areas for 2016 | HR, Education and CSR Committee Priorities for 2016 |
| Activities in 2016 | March 29, 2016
CSR Subcommittee Meeting Presentation: Survey: Attitude to payroll giving in TOP 100 companies in terms of total revenue Presentation: Annual Awards for Workplace Giving Donation Presentation: The More – The Better January 21, 2016 AmCham Tax and Human Resources Joint Committee Meeting Speakers: |
| Activities in 2015 | October 22, 2015
Speaker: Nikola Seymenov, Senior Consultant, Deloitte Bulgaria EOOD September 16, 2015 Speaker: Tanya Stivasareva, Manager | Attorney-at-law, Ernst & Young Law Partnership |
| Activities in 2014 | November 21, 2014
Topic: In preparation for 2015: Presentation of Compensation practices and policies 2014 Presentations: Speaker: Mr. Kamen Atanasov, Country Manager at Grain Bulgaria – a Mercer affiliate Speaker: Ms. Stela Dimitrova, Product Manager Information Services AIMS Compensation survey Speaker: Ms. Maria Shishkova, Managing Partner of AIMS Human Capital Bulgaria and Dale Carnegie Training Bulgaria July 1, 2014 Topic: Importance and Satisfaction of the Employees with the Working Environment Factors (presentation attached in folder HR Committee – Activities in 2014) Speaker: Elena Andonova, Marketing Manager, Sofia Airport Center April 28, 2014 Topic: “Reducing the administrative burden of Employers by using technology-based HR processes” Speaker: Aneliya Stavreva, Managers Rewards and Administration, VIVACOM January, 2014 On December 4th, 2013, AmCham submitted a letter-request for a meeting with the Minister of Labor and Social Policy Hasan Ademov in order to discuss proposals for improvement and modernization of the labor legislation in Bulgaria. Among the proposed discussion topics were: easing of restrictions on the use of fixed-term contracts, changes related to the regulations on overtime employment, adaptation of the regulations on temporary employment, as well as regulation of traineeships. You may read the full text of the letter of invitation here (letter to Hasan Ademov) (in Bulgarian). Furthermore, following instructions by Minister Ademov, the Ministry of Labor and Social Policy submitted an official statement on the proposed topics related to amendments of the Labor Code. You may read the official statement of the Ministry of Labor and Social Policy here (letter from Hasan Ademov) (in Bulgarian). |
| Activities in 2013 | October 22, 2013
Topic: Sharing of Company Practices in Employee Engagement Presentation: “How to Engage Employees During Transformation” Presentation: “Engagement to the People…” Presentation: “Career & Develop Process” Presentation: “Engagement on Focus in Harsh Times” Presentation: “Driving Employee Engagement – Globally and Locally” March 15, 2013 Topic: Recent case law in the area of labor and employment law, presented by the labor law team of Ernst & Young Law Partnership. The presentation covers important cases of the Supreme Court in the area of termination of employment, disciplinary dismissal, selection procedure, equal treatment and equal pay, overtime payment, non-compete clause and other related matters. |
| Activities in 2012 | June 5, 2012 Topic: Internships Project for school and university students a recently launched program by Ministry of Education, Youth and Science Speaker: Evelina Christova, PhD, Ministry of Education, Youth and ScienceJune 1, 2012 Topic: How to translate intangible into numbers – employees engagement in business perspective Sponsored by: AON Bulgaria, AonHewitt Speakers: Mr. Hristo Borissov, CEO, Aon Bulgaria | Aon Risk Solutions Ms. Gergana Gancheva, Project Lead, Aon Hewitt Best Employers Study BulgariaMarch 9, 2012 Presentation: “Productivity. Effectiveness. Efficiency. Together. Now”. Speaker: Mrs. Lyubov Georgieva, Country Manager at PEP worldwide – BulgariaFebruary 22, 2012Presentation: America for Bulgaria Initiative in BG and EN Speaker: Natalia Miteva, Program Officer, America for Bulgaria Foundation |
| Activities in 2011 | December 15, 2011 Topic: Share HR Practices – Mentoring and Coaching ProgramsPresentation: Mentoring Program in Avon Cosmetics Bulgaria – sharing of best practices Speaker: Eva Pentova, Avon Cosmetics Bulgaria, HR Business Partner Bulgaria, Albania, MacedoniaPresentation: Building Coaching Practice and Culture in Business Organizations in Bulgaria Speakers: Aneta Mladenova, Consulteam and Veselka Tsocheva, ConsulteamDecember 1, 2011 Topic: Employment Relations: Legal Issues 1. Termination of labor contracts – court practice update; 2. How the employer should handle a workplace harassment; 3. Restriction of competitive activities / non-competition agreement; 4. Future amendments to Bulgarian Labour Code – temporary employment agencies; distance work, etc. SPEAKERS: Ilya Komarevski, Managing Associate, Attorney-at-law Veselka Petrova, Senior Legal Counsel, Attorney-at-law Tsvetkova Bebov & Partners, the correspondent law firm of PricewaterhouseCoopers in BulgariaNovember 15, 2011 Topic: Coaching: The Most Innovative Tool for Business in Bulgaria Speakers: Peter Goryalov, Co-Founder & President and Irina Goryalova, Co-Founder & Communications DirectorMeeting materials: ICF Brochure Main ICF Brochure Inserts ICF Bulgaria Masterclass_Diane Brennan ICF Bulgaria Masterclass_George RogersSeptember 20, 2011Topic: The Business Walks Into The Universities – Universities in Bulgaria and worldwide. Business oriented education. Differences and similarities – The business walks into the universities. Business seminars’ structure in the university. Topics toward the practical application of knowledge. – Internships – The future of the projects in the sphere in BulgariaSpeakers: Magdalena Nikolova, CEO and business trainer at MLC International, AmCham and Ani Dimitrova, ExperienceJune 16, 2011 Topic: Share HR Practices – Talent Management and Leadership Development Talent Management Practices for Development and Retention of Professional and Management Employees – The IBM Approach Presenter: Boyka Docheva, HR Business Partner, IBM Leadership Development – Sharing of Citibank experience/practices Presenter: Dessislava Lashkova, HR Manager CitibankIntegrated performance & talent management practices at Philip Morris Bulgaria Presenter: Bilyana Ivanova, HR Business Partner, PMBJune 8, 2011 Topic: EU Funds for Human resources Development Guest Speaker: Ms. Tanya Hristova, Head of Cabinet of the Minister of EU Funds ManagementFebruary 9, 2011 Topic: Remuneration Surveys – 2010 edition Presentation of remuneration surveys available on Bulgarian market covering all forms of cash compensation, long-term incentives and benefits, etc.Presentations: Iva Todorova, ConsulTeam Human Capital Bulgaria Presentation Albena Ivanova, Concepta BP, representative of Hay Group Presentation Boncho Bonchev, PricewaterhouseCoopers Bulgaria Presentation Georgi Jurov, AIMS Human Capital Presentation |
| Activities in 2010 | June 29th, 2010 Policy of the Ministry of Labor in the sphere of social works; European Programs – Current and upcoming programs under Operational Programs “Human Resources” AmCham HR Committee invited Valentina Simeonova, deputy minister of labour and social policy, and Martin Petkov, expert with Consulto Bulgaria to give more information to member companies regarding policy of the ministry, European programs, and current and upcoming programs under operational program Human Resources. PresentationFebruary 3rd, 2010AmCham HR Committee Working Meeting with Official Guest Speakers: Mr. Krassimir Ppopov Deputy Minister of Labour and Social Policy, Mrs. ZornitzaA Russinova Director of DG “European funds” of Ministry of Labor and Social Policy, Mrs. Liliana Stankova Head of Unit at Ministry of Labour and Social Policy and Mrs. Rositsa Stelianova Executive Director, Employment Agency on the following topics of discussion: 1. Blue Card Council Directive 2009/50/EC; 2. Operational Program Human Resources development– Program for part-time employment; 3. Development of a list of large clients in the Employment Agency like the ‘Large Taxpayers and Insurers’ of the National Revenue Agency. |
| Activities in 2009 | November 25, 2009
November 25th, HR Committee Meeting with the Deputy Minister of Labor, Krassimir Popov and Mrs Rossitsa Stelianova, Executive Director, Employment Agency. |
| Activities in 2008 | Main Achievements: • The AmCham Human Resources Committee has been established on July 9th , 2008. • Since July 2008, five working meetings were conducted. • A meeting with representatives of the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs was held on October 10th and ways for cooperation between the Ministry and the Chamber were discussed. • As a result of the meeting with the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs, AmCham was represented at the first Bulgaria Job Fair in Madrid. • AmCham research on corporate internships conducted and released. • The October issue of AmCham Magazine was dedicated on HR topic presenting the results of the AmCham Internship Programs Survey. The HR professionals and the interns shared their experience and views on the topic. The Human Resources Committee in cooperation with the Public Affairs Committee sent position papers on the following issues raised during the meetings: • Working Permits • Personnel Lease issues • Food Vouchers issues |
| CSR Subcommittee Archive |
| Volunteer Days 2012
1. on October 13 (Saturday) – the Traditional Volunteer Day 3М 2. the week October 15 – October 29 – the new initiative “Professionals at Schools” Abbott Products EOOD Media partners: May 19, 2012 – AmCham Magazine Coverage Volunteer Days 2011 AmCham Magazine dedicated on Members’ Volunteer Projects, issue May 2011 October 15, 2011 – Event Media Coverage May 28, 2011 – Event Media Coverage Volunteer Days 2010 May 15, 2010 Event Media Coverage Volunteer Days 2009 May 16, 2009 Event Media Coverage |
| AMCHAM GREEN CALENDAR 2009
AmCham Corporate Social Responsibility Committee is glad to invite The aim of the AmCham GREEN PROJECT 2009: GREEN PROJECT TOPICS & MEETINGS 2009: January/February Topic 1 March/April Topic 2: Resource Management Top 3 actions actions to reduce your environmental impact at work: To get started on topic, please check on the links below for more information on resource management: Resource Management_Presentation May/June Topic 3: Green Procurement In a democracy, one must use the power of the ballot to elect the candidate with the best attributes. So too is the case in capitalism! Every Leva, Euro, or Dollar you spend is a vote for the approval of the products and services you buy. WHY GO GREEN? AMCHAM HIKING TOUR As part of the AmCham Green Project and its July-August topic “Nature Conservation”, the CSR Committee organized on July 25th a one-day journey to one of Bulgaria’s most magnificent and inspiring mountain areas – The Seven Lakes region of the Rila Mountains, part of one of the largest National Parks in Europe. September/October Topic 5: Green Communications Want bragging rights? Civil society has increasingly high demands for business to report their operational performance. Leading companies around the world, together with NGOs have started a number of programs to publicize companies Green_Communications Presentation November/December Topic 6: Going Green At Home READ MORE ABOUT THE PROJECT ACTIVITIES GREEN News & Links On July 16, 2008 the European Commission presented its Sustainable Consumption and Production Package (SCP), which is a series of proposals with the objective of improving the environmental performance of products and increasing the demand for more sustainable goods and production technologies. AmCham welcomes the SCP package and believes that its impact on business may be positive and negative at the same time. Below are AmCham EU position papers on several policies from the policy package: Proposal for the extension of the Eco-design Directive; Proposal for the revision of Eco-label Regulation; Proposal for the revision of the Eco Management and Audit Scheme Regulation; Proposal for a Regulation for an Environmental Technology Verification Scheme; and Proposal for a Retailer Forum establishment. |
| AmCham Thanksgiving Community Dinner
Every year AmCham Bulgaria joins the American spirit of charity and generosity organizing its Thanksgiving Community Dinner in November. Following the tradition the event is dedicated to charity fundraising. |