Flexible working and no overtime: Survey maps Czechia-based workers' biggest priorities

Czech jobseekers are prioritizing work-life balance and flexibility in employment when searching for a job, according to recent surveys. Companies are taking notice and adjusting their benefits to accommodate these demands.

In an analysis of over 30,000 jobseeker requirements, Tomáš Pavlíček from job-search website Atmoskop.cz found that 79 percent of applicants request jobs without overtime. This trend aligns with the growing emphasis on work-life balance in recent years. "They don't want overtime so they can devote themselves to their hobbies or family," explains Pavlíček.

According to Jitka Kouba, marketing director of staffing firm Grafton Recruitment, the demand for flexibility in employment is also on the rise. A survey by Atmoskop found that 56 percent of applicants list this as a requirement. "They want to be able to arrange private matters more efficiently or extend their stay at the cottage or abroad," Pavlíček commented.

The possibility of working from home or in a hybrid manner is also becoming a standard for jobseekers. "People already see it as a standard, not a benefit," says Kouba. In fact, 95 percent of white-collar workers would like flexible working hours, according to Grafton Recruitment.

This trend is not limited to the younger generation, as even those with children prefer employers who are accommodating to their needs regarding time and place of work. The pandemic has only strengthened this preference, with Pavlíček noting that "they expect that if they showed then that they can do their work from home without problems, that the employer will still trust them now."

A 2023 survey by polling agency Ipsos and human resources firm Welcome to the Jungle found that for most Czech employees, salary remains the basic criterion for job satisfaction. It is considered important by 95 percent of those surveyed. This is an increase of 6 percentage points compared to a 2020 survey, when 89 percent of people considered salary to be important.

Other criteria are more related to balancing personal and work life, company culture, and communication in the workplace. Working hours and workload are the second most important criteria at 94 percent, while in 2020 this criterion finished in fifth place. 

Employers are starting to comply with these demands, with many offering benefits such as food stamps, flexible working hours, and the ability to work from home.

However, there are still discrepancies between what employees want and what they actually receive. According to a survey by Platy.cz, vacation is the seventh most frequently provided benefit, with the insurance sector being the most common provider.

“Employers still offer food stamps, which 47 percent of employees receive. Four in 10 employers also offer flexible working hours," says Miroslav Dravecký from the Platy.cz portal. In addition, 36 percent of employers also allow working from home.