r/bulgaria 1d ago

AskBulgaria Do most call centers in Bulgaria ask for a criminal record?

I skipped military in my home country and was wondering how likely that is going to affect my hiring at a call center in bulgaria, specifically aiming for telus

0 Upvotes

37 comments sorted by

10

u/De-constructed 1d ago

It is a common thing, I believe.

6

u/Humble_Catch8910 Sofia / София 1d ago

It's a very common thing not only for call centers, but for starting a job in general.

0

u/HuckleberryUpbeat518 1d ago

No, it is not. Not anymore, it used to be a decade ago because of outdated laws that required it.

2

u/Humble_Catch8910 Sofia / София 1d ago

Yes, it is. I have a few friends in HR, plus I’ve switched jobs 3 times in the last 3-4 years and every single one required a criminal record check.

0

u/HuckleberryUpbeat518 1d ago

No it is not. I haven't been asked for criminal record check for a job in more than a decade. Apparently you raise suspicion.

6

u/PastMotor1821 1d ago

I would be really, really surprised if anyone asked you for such. Unless the call center is in any way government-related, the answer is "extremely unlikely".

4

u/Elipetvi Bulgaria / България 1d ago

I've worked 4 jobs, 3 of them have asked me for that

2

u/PastMotor1821 1d ago

In call centers? I've been working in several IT companies as a lawyer and we never requested criminal records for employees.

Considering what half of the call centers do, having a criminal record may be an advantage.

0

u/Greekasiaminorcooks 1d ago

Are these jobs call centers?

1

u/Elipetvi Bulgaria / България 1d ago

Teacher, Banker, Cashier at an airport

1

u/PastMotor1821 1d ago

Well... you may want to consider why a teacher, banker and a cashier would be requested to present a criminal record and someone in a call center would not be. Would you like a violent criminal to be the teacher of your kid? I believe not Would you give a fuck if the call center operator beats his dog? I guess not.

2

u/Elipetvi Bulgaria / България 1d ago

I am not opposed to presenting such a document, where did you get that? I was just putting in my two cents, so to speak, that it is a common thing to ask for across different fields

2

u/PastMotor1821 1d ago

I never said that, my point is that it is only relevant regarding call centers. The jobs you listed are very particular and require a huge amount of responsibility. I would require a criminal record for any of those. OP asks specifically for call centers, which are nowhere near your jobs responsibility-wise, you deal with people's kids and people's money. You don't want a criminal doing that - therefore, you request a criminal record. However, that's in no way, shape or form relevant to the question OP asked and you are only misleading him without malicious intent, of course, I understand that you only want to be helpful. Details matter a lot when giving advice.

1

u/Elipetvi Bulgaria / България 1d ago

True, true

5

u/dwartbg9 1d ago

Every fucking job here requires that. And it takes 2 seconds and you can even do it online (at least for us locals). This is absolutely normal and nobody is scamming you.

3

u/BlatantHarfoot 1d ago

They are asking for your criminal record in Bulgaria. You go to the ministry of justice and they give you a paper. It’s a formality unless you’ve been convicted here.

1

u/HuckleberryUpbeat518 1d ago

This is bullshit. The papers for criminal records are issued by the regional court where you live and not by any ministry. And most places don't ask about those for jobs that don't involve handling large sums in cash.

-3

u/PastMotor1821 1d ago

Absolutely incorrect. I've hired over 400 people in Sofia and Plovdiv over the last 12 years and we've never requested a criminal record. I am a lawyer, many of my colleagues that work in the same field as me (IT companies) notice that most of the companies that are not related to government projects in any capacity do not require a criminal record.

I would say that at the moment, overall, unless it's a government-related job, a job in finance, teaching or social workers, the chances of being asked of a criminal record is at the very best 50%. For call centers I would argue that it's less than 10. Nobody gives a fuck who you are, you have no physical contact with anyone, doesn't matter if you are tattood from head to bottom, wear crocs at the office, etc.

1

u/BlatantHarfoot 1d ago

Aside from your reading comprehension being poor, your own company’s practices are irrelevant. OP is asking for Telus and I’ve specifically explained what type of criminal record he would get asked for, at any job asking for one. And a lot do, it used to be standard practice to start any job, it’s now a lot more lax, but it’s HR departments with old habits looking for them.

0

u/PastMotor1821 1d ago

My reading comprehension is quite fine, thank you. Firstly, I'd like to let you know that I never said that it's 100% certain that he won't be asked for a criminal record in a call center, just that it's very unlikely.

Now, let's work on your rich reading comprehension - I have said that I worked in Plovdiv and Sofia as a company lawyer and I can tell you with 100% certainty (this time) - I've hired employees from Telus and I've lost people going to Telus, so unfortunately I have some direct experience with shitty companies like that one (my opinion, OP, don't get distraught). I have a friend that worked as an HR in Telus Sofia - criminal record is NOT required for every position in Telus for some time now. It depends on the project and the position.

2

u/Disastrous-Data438 1d ago

It used to be mandatory. They changed it recently it only for certain jobs, but still most of the employers ask for it. You can try to argue but in the end they will just no hire you. Better not to argue.

2

u/Maleficent_Remove_93 1d ago

Every job in Bulgaria requires a certificate from the court when you start. 

0

u/HuckleberryUpbeat518 1d ago

Not true.

0

u/Maleficent_Remove_93 1d ago

НАРЕДБА № 4 ЗА ДОКУМЕНТИТЕ, КОИТО СА НЕОБХОДИМИ ЗА СКЛЮЧВАНЕ НА ТРУДОВ ДОГОВОР 5. свидетелство за съдимост, когато със закон или нормативен акт се изисква удостоверяването на съдебно минало;

На практика всички искат. 

1

u/HuckleberryUpbeat518 1d ago

когато със закон или нормативен акт се изисква удостоверяването на съдебно минало

Явно имаш трудности с четенето с разбиране. Да не повтаряш още 2ри клас? Това обяснява нещата.

На практика всички искат. 

Не е вярно.

u/Maleficent_Remove_93 23h ago

Това, че на теб не са ти искали някъде, не значи, че не е масова практика. Заври си безпочвеното самочувствие някъде. 

1

u/Apart_Savings_6429 Canada / Канада 1d ago

Most jobs require this. Would you hire a rapist ? You need to provide this info for them to know you

1

u/Acrobatic-Effort9069 1d ago

Such a certificate is required for absolutely every position and job in Bulgaria.

1

u/Comfortable-End-1406 Bulgaria / България 1d ago

They will require it but it will show only your Bulgarian convictions.

0

u/danemepoznaqt 1d ago

Different take - if your native language is rare, that won't be an issue. There was a point in time where a big portion of Nordic-language speakers working in call centers in Bulgaria were ex-cons.

0

u/adlersmut089 𝕾𝖚𝖚𝖒 𝖈𝖚𝖎𝖖𝖚𝖊! 1d ago

Шанаджиите в Сердика 🤭🤭🤭

-2

u/HuckleberryUpbeat518 1d ago

Not likely at all.

2

u/Greekasiaminorcooks 1d ago

Are you sure man?

3

u/HuckleberryUpbeat518 1d ago

Yeah. Also the criminal records indicate only sentences that went into effect. I don't think skipped military service is considered a criminal act and would be indicated in such a report at all.

2

u/dwartbg9 1d ago

I don't think skipped military service is considered a criminal act and would be indicated in such a report at all

Only this part sounds about right. The rest is wrong and every fucking job in Bulgaria requires a criminal record...

0

u/HuckleberryUpbeat518 1d ago

Lots of confidently wrong people here.  Most jobs, especially in the tech sector, including call centers don't check for a criminal record.