Half of employees in Serbia want to change jobs
The research “What Keeps Employees Going” provides crucial insights that help decision-makers tailor strategies according to the actual needs of employees.
How many employees work off the books, do managers really want to be in their current position in the company, what percentage of employees plan to change jobs in the next year, what does working from home mean to them, and answers to many other labour market questions are provided by this now traditional survey on employee benefits and wellbeing support in Serbia.
As a kind of guide, the “What Keeps Employees Going” research provides important information that helps decision-makers adapt strategies to meet the real needs of employees, improve working conditions, and further strengthen their position in the market.
The largest survey on employee benefits and wellbeing support in Serbia
For the third consecutive year, Osiguranik, Infostud, Rezilient, and Tim Centar jointly conducted research on benefits and well-being support, titled “What Keeps Employees Going,” which is the largest study of its kind in Serbia. This year, new topics and questions were included, making it the most detailed so far.
The research involved a total of 744 decision-makers from companies of different sizes—ranging from small firms with a few employees to large corporations employing over 1,000 people. Additionally, 2,710 employees from various sectors, including retail, manufacturing, IT, healthcare, and social services, among others, were surveyed.
Thanks to a careful adherence to research processes and data analysis according to the highest scientific standards, the results are fully representative. The sample of respondents is aligned with official data from the Statistical Office of the Republic of Serbia, enabling companies to use these insights to enhance their strategies.
What are the most important employee demands?
The results show that flexibility in work remains high on employees’ priority list. Flexible working hours, the possibility of a four-day workweek, working from home, and additional days off are among the most desirable benefits, while voluntary health insurance ranks just behind them as one of the most important benefits.
Employees largely view voluntary health insurance as essential, much like a regular salary, rather than a luxury. However, only 22% of employees currently enjoy this benefit, revealing a significant gap between their expectations and what companies offer.
Why has well-being become an unavoidable topic?
Nearly all respondents, 94%, reported facing wellbeing issues, while more than half (59%) admitted that these issues significantly affect their productivity at work. The most common challenges include stress, loss of energy, and lack of motivation.
Companies that promote open conversations about mental health and foster a culture of well-being care can increase employee engagement by up to 2.2 times compared to those that don’t pay attention to these aspects. These findings confirm how crucial wellbeing has become for successful business operations and talent retention.
eNPS – A challenge for companies in Serbia
If you measure eNPS (Employee Net Promoter Score) in your organization, you should know that, according to the research, this indicator is at a very low level in Serbia, with an average score of -46. This means that the majority of employees are dissatisfied with their work environment. As many as 60% openly speak negatively about their company, and only 14% would recommend their company as a good place to work.
A particularly concerning statistic is that half of the employees are considering changing jobs, with younger generations showing a greater tendency to move to another company within the next year.
The good news for 2025 is that the HR sector will focus on talent retention, improving the employee experience, strengthening leadership skills, and developing soft skills, which may change employee opinions.
Moreover, 36% of companies plan to actively focus on attracting new talent, which could significantly ease the hiring process for those looking for new job opportunities.
Problems with under-the-table payments and dissatisfaction with earnings
While we seem to be following global trends in salary transparency, with 60% of employees roughly aware of their colleagues’ pay, the salary policy statistics are deeply concerning. As many as 17% of employees receive part of their salary “under the table,” while 3% receive their entire salary in cash. Only 18% of employees are satisfied with their current earnings, indicating a need for wage system improvements, salary increases, and greater transparency in companies.
This research reveals numerous other insights about the labour market in Serbia, including topics such as feedback culture, working from home, and answers to questions like to what extent managers influence employee motivation and whether they truly want to be in their current position in the company.
Once again, we invite you to download the research and learn more about key labour market trends, prepare for 2025, and get ahead of the competition.
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