More and more young employees around the world, including in Croatia and the region, are rejecting the traditional model of 'endless workdays' in which work lasts from dawn until late at night.

Microsoft's new 2025 report reveals that the average young professional receives as many as 270 business notifications a day, and the workday often ends only in the evening or even after midnight. This pace, along with constant meetings and messages, leaves them exhausted and without time for private life, writes Guardian.

Generation Z wants more than work

Unlike older generations, young people today openly reject the idea that work is the center of life. According to Deloitte research, as many as 94% of Generation Z members put work-life balance ahead of advancing on the corporate ladder. More and more young workers, including in Croatia, are seeking flexible conditions, the possibility of working from home, and clearly defined working hours

Burnout, anxiety, and resistance to old rules

The experiences of young people from New York, Seoul, or Toronto show that long working hours, constant availability, and pressure to deliver results have led to a rise in anxiety, burnout, and dissatisfaction. Many are willing to change jobs, or even leave careers, if they do not find balance. More and more young people are setting boundaries, refusing to work outside working hours, seeking mental health support, and openly communicating about workload.

Croatia and the region are following trends

In Croatia as well, among young employees there are increasingly frequent calls for a shorter workweek, remote work, and flexible working hours. Employers who want to retain young talent will have to adapt to new expectations, because young people today are clearly saying: 'We work to live, not live to work.'