Leave of absence

Germans work fewer hours than all Europeans, while, by contrast, Poles and Greeks are the hardest workers, according to figures from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) published by the Neuer Zürcher Zeitung. In all countries, however, working hours have fallen since 2000.

At the start of the new school year, parents are thinking about how to plan for a number of permissions to which they are entitled.

The most typical licenses involve:

In July, the number of Bulgarians traveling abroad for vacation or excursions rose by just over 11% compared to the same month last year, according to the National Statistical Institute. During this period, the largest portion of Bulgarian trips abroad was for leisure and excursions, making up 47.4% of the total, followed by trips for other purposes at 37.0%, and business trips at 15.6%.

Nearly one million people in Bulgaria cannot afford even a week's vacation, according to the Confederation of Independent Trade Unions of Bulgaria (CITUB). This announcement is based on an analysis by the European Trade Union Institute of the European Confederation of Trade Unions.

Vacations are a midsummer night's dream this year for a large portion of Greeks, as the high prices of services and holiday packages make it prohibitive for some to plan leisure trips even to nearby and relatively cheaper destinations. Costs remain high for Greek households, many of whom are cutting back on spending, not only on vacations and travel, but also on essentials like food.

Different arrangements for employees who work on a rotational basis include the summer holiday agenda.

The vacation allowance, according to the legislation, is calculated on the basis of the time worked and during the annual leave the dismissal of the employee is prohibited.

The photos he posted from his vacation with his partner

As May approaches, Bulgarians eagerly anticipate a month filled with opportunities for rest and relaxation, thanks to a strategic alignment of holidays and weekends. With six official holidays and weekends scattered throughout the month, coupled with smart planning, workers can maximize their time off for a well-deserved break.

In a bid to keep the flow of education constant and parallel to the practices undertaken in the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development countries (OECD), the Education Ministry has launched an effort to work on extending school terms in Türkiye.

Bulgaria, part of the EU for nearly two decades, showcases a unique work-rest balance. Despite working more than the EU average, Bulgarians enjoy an average of 36 days off when national holidays are factored in, akin to Austria and Finland.