A new extensive study by the portal HOU.hr reveals a surprising piece of data that sheds new light on the real sources of dissatisfaction in Croatian offices.

When asked what bothers employees the most at work, almost a third of respondents answered, the behavior of colleagues. More precisely, as many as 29.6 percent of participants highlighted interpersonal relations and workplace hygiene as the main source of frustration, while salary level, traditionally perceived as the key problem, ranked only sixth with a share of 6.9 percent.

This is followed by corporate rituals and forced coffee chats, misaligned working hours, and a lack of annual leave. The study, conducted between October 6 and 11 on a sample of 621 respondents, clearly shows that toxic work culture has become the primary problem for domestic employees.

Experts warn that such data are a clear signal to employers, while the focus of most still remains on salaries and benefits, the real dissatisfaction lies in damaged relationships and a lack of trust.

In a broader context, Croatia continues to face labor market challenges characterized by a labor shortage and increasing pressure to retain employees. Although average salaries are rising nominally, workers are increasingly seeking an environment in which they feel respected, where they are trusted, and where they are given flexibility. Global trends, such as those recorded by Randstad Workmonitor, confirm that the balance between work and private life has become more important than the level of income itself.

You can find the details of the study on HOU.hr.