The photograph is illustrative.

A job ad for a warehouse worker and forklift driver for work in Split attracted a lot of attention after it was shared on the social network Reddit.

The original vacancy was posted on the HZZ website. The ad stated a starting salary of 1,800 euros net.

In addition to the pay itself, the morning shift and free weekends prompted numerous reactions, but also the question of whether a much more demanding job lies behind the attractive offer than it seems at first glance.

You can find the full discussion started by user del5000 on the subreddit r/askcroatia.

'I'm leaving my office job'

The author of the discussion asked users whether such a salary is realistic for a warehouse worker. In doing so, he pointed out that many highly educated workers, including economists, accountants, and bank clerks, often earn around 1,200 euros.

One of the most popular replies read: 'So, I'm quitting my office job and going to work as a warehouse worker.'

Another user briefly said: 'I'm moving to Split.'

Some commenters stated that not even as designers, nurses, or workers in other responsible professions do they earn the offered 1,800 euros. The discussion therefore quickly expanded to the issue of the relationship between wages, education, and responsibility in the Croatian labor market.

The salary is good, but the job is not easy

Some users warned that the job of a warehouse worker is not just about sitting and operating a forklift. The job includes loading, unloading, stacking, carrying, and moving goods, and in this case it is construction material.

'The pay is decent, but prepare for eight hours of intense gym work,' one user wrote.

Another explained that the worker probably has to perform several different tasks, from driving a forklift to manually carrying and packing cargo. According to him, only after a few weeks of work can you see how physically demanding the job actually is.

More experienced warehouse workers added that in overcrowded warehouses, the problem is not only the weight of the goods. Workers often have to move the same pallets several times in order to get to the product they need, which further slows down and makes the work harder.

Working with a forklift carries great responsibility

Several users pointed out that operating a forklift requires experience, concentration, and a passed exam.

'It's not the same to transport a pallet around the hall and to lift goods worth tens or hundreds of thousands of euros to a height of several meters,' one commenter stated.

Another added that a mistake while operating heavy machinery can endanger workers, damage goods, or bring down warehouse shelves. Precisely because of such responsibility, some users believe that a salary of 1,800 euros is not excessive.

One user stated that for a similar job he earns only about a hundred euros less, works 8 hours a day, does not work weekends, and receives additional compensation for overtime hours. Another wrote that his acquaintance earns around 2,000 euros after several years of experience.

There were also those with lower incomes. One warehouse worker stated an average salary of around 1,200 euros, along with a Christmas bonus and vacation allowance.

In the end, the ad opened a broader topic about the undervaluation of physical occupations. 'For years, manual workers were belittled, and now that there is a shortage of them, everyone is surprised by their wages,' one user said.

Although the salary attracted the most attention, users did not reach an agreement on whether this is an exceptionally good offer or simply appropriate compensation for a difficult and responsible job.