Telematic Interactive Bulgaria encourages attendance with financial incentives
The return to the office after several years of remote working is a fact of life for millions around the world. This is a consequence of the global pandemic and the necessity to resume normal business operations. Large corporations began the process of gradually returning their teams to a face-to-face working environment as early as two years ago. However, this transition has caused some resentment among staff who were previously accustomed to online conference rooms. The changes in work organisation have been noted by businesses in Bulgaria, with the majority having already returned employees to their offices. A physical office environment allows businesses to foster a unified and dedicated team, fostering a sense of belonging and loyalty to the company and its brand. The current working environment encourages interaction and the exchange of ideas between colleagues, as well as effective brainstorming sessions, which are a key driver of company growth.
However, how do employers respond to the negative feedback from employees who work in companies regarding the return to the office?
When company management became aware that business was flourishing with staff in the office, they implemented changes that proved to be misguided. Many managers issued ultimatums and implemented restrictive measures that negatively impacted the office atmosphere and the teams’ perception of their managers. In some instances, this led to protests. A number of global companies, including Google, Amazon and Zoom, were among those described as “strict” employers. Mr. Musk himself voiced his opposition to remote work some time ago, stating that employees at his companies, including SpaceX, Tesla, and X, would be more productive in an office setting.
In the business world, however, there is a growing tendency towards a more moderate approach, with a preference for incentives over ultimatums. There are already numerous examples of this approach in practice, with one of the most notable coming from Bulgaria. One particularly noteworthy staff incentive tool is the Work from оffice бonus, which Telematic Interactive Bulgaria plans to introduce in early 2023. This is a completely new concept for our country, and it was the idea of the company’s owners, Milo Borisov and Rossi McKee, who continue to develop it further in order to attract and retain staff.
The primary objective of this bonus is to offset the inherent expenses associated with commuting to the office, including fuel, transportation, and sustenance. Furthermore, it encourages the essential social interaction that is crucial for a company’s growth, states Nikola Kirov, HR Manager of Telematic Interactive Bulgaria. He believes that there are many more advantages to working in an office than disadvantages, as it allows for the development of social skills. He also noted that it is important to remember that attendance at work is a standard and normal practice, which has been in place long before the pandemic. The home office was introduced as a necessity during this period.
Our professional development is shaped by the relationships we build with our colleagues and clients. I am not defined by the emails I have sent, the assignments I have been given, or the Skype messages we have sent each other. Human interaction is of great importance to us as a company. It allows us to demonstrate empathy, foster happiness, instill pride, and encourage teamwork. This is particularly crucial for younger professionals, who gain a deeper understanding through face-to-face interactions with experienced industry experts, Kirov adds.
He anticipates that an increasing number of companies will encourage their employees to return to the office, even without offering incentives. “Telematic Interactive Bulgaria AD has made a significant economic commitment to incentivise colleagues. “This incentive has proven effective, with nearly all employees reporting to work in person,” the company’s HR manager states.
He anticipates that an increasing number of companies will resume in-person workforces, without the provision of incentives. Telematic Interactive Bulgaria has made a significant financial investment in offering incentives to its employees. This incentive is clearly effective, as nearly all employees report for work in person, the company’s HR manager states.
