When a company is ranked in the top three employers in the country, the question is not only what it has won, but also what is behind this result.
For the seventh consecutive year, Lidl Bulgaria's employment practices were distinguished by the Top Employers Institute – an international organization that evaluates not the image, but the real processes of people management. Behind the certificate is a detailed independent audit that examines 20 key areas. In eight of them, Lidl Bulgaria has the maximum score: a score of 100%. What is behind these numbers and what are the topics?
1. People management strategy
One of the areas with the maximum score is the people management strategy – an indicator that measures whether an organization has a clear and consistent strategy for its employees, which is in line with business goals and translates corporate priorities into real actions. The foundation of the award for Lidl is the philosophy that the company grows when its people grow - through systematic investments in knowledge, skills and development opportunities that provide stability for employees and sustainability for the business.
2. Leadership: to lead and inspire in practice
The assessment in this category measures the ability of leaders to develop talent, create trust and build an inclusive culture. It comes against the backdrop of targeted management development programs, including the Lidl Academy and the LiDER program for store managers, through which hundreds of managers have gone. The focus is not on titles, but on the ability of management teams at all levels to lead people and make decisions, building trust and a supportive environment.
3. Organization and change management
In a dynamic sector like retail, the ability to manage change is crucial for success. Here, the assessment takes into account how clear, predictable and sustainable the processes are, so that they fit naturally into the rhythm of work. An excellent example is the process of switching to the euro, for which Lidl Bulgaria begins strategic preparation as early as 2022 and invests hundreds of hours in training for over 350 employees, reconfiguring over 80 types of systems, so that today the processes in the stores run smoothly for employees and customers.
4. Employer brand: when reputation meets reality
The employer brand is not just an image. It is not built with campaigns, but with daily practices - from the first working day and the first training to the opportunities for development and long-term realization in the company and the well-being of its employees. Here, the assessment measures the actual experience of employees, and the maximum score shows a match between what Lidl claims and what people get.
5. Performance: when your contribution is valued
This is another category with a maximum score for the retailer, which covers the way organizations manage the goals, feedback and development of their people, so that their individual contribution is visible, valued and connected to the bigger picture. In Lidl Bulgaria, this means clear expectations, measurable goals and regular performance conversations, which are not reduced to a formal assessment, but are a tool for development, motivation and sustainable results.
6. Training: skills for work and life
The category “Training“ assesses an integrated approach to lifelong learning, including the development of professional and personal skills. In addition to a number of professional programs, the company is also developing the initiative “21st Century Skills“, which began as a series of internal trainings and grew into a popular videocast on YouTube with over a million and a half views. It includes topics such as artificial intelligence, financial literacy, media culture and a growth mindset - issues that are rarely present in standard corporate trainings, but have a direct impact on the quality of life. Lidl Bulgaria also continues to develop initiatives such as Career Up, aimed at students, young people and parents, as well as youth programs for the inclusion of Generation Z in the labor market.
7. Ethics and integrity: rules that apply to everyone
The maximum score in this category means that the company's ethics and integrity are not just stated values, but a standard that applies equally to employees, customers and partners. At Lidl Bulgaria, this means consistency in everything - from fair remuneration and transparent internal processes, through stable and fair prices for partners and customers, to responsible partnerships and long-term care for society and the environment. A clear expression of this approach is the program “You and Lidl“ - the largest socially responsible initiative of Lidl Bulgaria, which unites the company's efforts in supporting people, sustainable development and local communities. The company's employees also continue this line of charity, encouraged by a financial grant from the company in support of causes important to them within the internal initiative “teamlidl for our tomorrow”. Responsibility and contribution, in which corporate values are fully covered by personal ones.
8. Organizational values and purpose
The last of the eight areas in a sense summarizes everything else: to what extent values are not just words, but reality. Effectiveness, respect, trust, down-to-earthness and cohesion are principles that the audit recognizes in real processes and practices. They are a real reference point for the decisions and daily work of Lidl Bulgaria and are recognized by the company's employees.
More important achievements
In addition to the maximum marks in these eight areas, Lidl Bulgaria also reports significant progress in topics such as rewards and recognition, work environment and introductory training. The company performs significantly above the average of other certified employers in the country in indicators such as well-being, diversity and inclusion, as well as people management strategy.
The Top Employer certificate is awarded to Lidl Bulgaria for the seventh time in a row, but receiving it is not seen as an end goal, but as confirmation of the right direction and a solid foundation on which to build the next level of development. “Because Lidl grows when its people grow,”, shares Katerina Shopova, HR Director and Line Manager.