ZAGREB, 25 Feb (Hina) – Nearly two-thirds of employees working remotely or in a hybrid model would consider changing jobs if forced to return to the office full-time, according to a survey by job portal MojPosao, conducted among 900 respondents.

Over the past year or two, many companies have significantly restricted remote work, encouraging or enforcing office returns.

According to the survey, 26% of respondents work entirely from home, 53% follow a hybrid model, and 21% work exclusively on-site.

Just under two-thirds (64%) said they would seriously consider changing jobs if required to spend more days in the office. Additionally, 12% stated they would resign immediately, while 24% would adapt to the new situation.

A striking 82% of respondents said no current benefits would make returning to the office easier. However, if office work became unavoidable, they highlighted flexible hours, higher pay, designated parking, and employer-funded meals as key incentives.

Hybrid work is preferred by 55% of Croatian employees, while 38% would opt for fully remote work. Only 5% favour exclusive office work, with 3% having no strong opinion.

The top advantage of remote work, cited by 90% of respondents, is eliminating commuting. Additionally, 55% appreciate better work-life balance, 45% report improved focus and productivity, and 36% value the ability to work from various locations. Only 2% see no major benefits to working from home.

The main advantages of working in an office include easier collaboration and social interaction. However, 32% of respondents believe working from the office offers no significant benefits.

Remote work more common in large companies

Analysing responses by company size, the highest proportion of employees working remotely at least part of the time (61%) are from large corporations and institutions. In contrast, 42% of employees in small businesses work exclusively on-site.

Among those with remote work options, 57% follow pre-set rules limiting the number of remote days per week or month. A quarter (24%) enjoy complete flexibility, while 19% report informal arrangements rather than official policies.

In organisations with strict in-office quotas, 81% of employees can choose which days to come in, while 19% must follow a fixed schedule set by their employer.

Three days in office most common requirement

When asked about mandatory office attendance, 45% of respondents said they are required to be in the office three days a week. A further 24% must come in twice a week, 18% four times a week, and 14% just once a week.

Most employees (83%) use remote work to the fullest extent allowed, while 17% voluntarily come into the office more often than required.

Looking at monthly remote work patterns, the largest group (28%) works from home between six and ten days per month, while 21% do so up to five days per month. Meanwhile, 18% work remotely for 11–15 days, and 13% spend 16 or more days outside the office.

When asked why employers want staff back in offices, respondents most commonly cited the desire for greater oversight and doubts about the productivity of remote workers.