Croatian Reddit users question job offer's 'illegal' break policy

A seemingly straightforward job advertisement has ignited a heated discussion on Croatian Reddit, centering on a user's query about the legality of the proposed working conditions. The user, posting under the name "18cmoftruedamage," shared details of a contract that outlined a workday from 8 AM to 5 PM, Monday to Friday, totaling 40 hours per week. The contentious point was the inclusion of a one-hour break within this 9-hour daily schedule, with the stipulation that the break could not be taken at the beginning or end of the workday.

The user questioned the practice, asking, "What kind of tricks are these, is this legal in Croatia? Shouldn't the break be included in the working hours?" The response from the online community was swift and largely critical. The most popular comment, garnering over a hundred upvotes, stated, "Of course it should be. After six hours of work, you are entitled to a 30-minute break which is included in the working hours."

Many commenters interpreted the employer's approach as an attempt to circumvent labor laws and potentially disguise unpaid overtime. "These extra hours each day are overtime that must be paid," one user pointed out. The discussion quickly evolved into a call for action, with numerous users demanding the company's name to avoid it and some offering assistance in reporting the matter to the State Inspectorate. "Company name? I have some acquaintances in the inspectorate who might be interested," one commenter wrote, highlighting a strong sense of solidarity among workers.

Interestingly, some users drew comparisons to work practices in other European countries. Several individuals working abroad mentioned that in countries like Germany, Sweden, or the Netherlands, it is common for lunch breaks to be unpaid and not counted towards working hours, meaning a 9-hour presence in the office for an 8-hour workday. However, as was correctly emphasized, Croatian labor law, specifically the Labor Relations Act, stipulates that any worker employed for at least six hours a day is entitled to a break of at least 30 minutes, and this break is considered part of the working time and is paid. This provision makes Croatia, along with Slovenia, a notable exception within the European Union.