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Czechia ranks among the least satisfied workforces in Europe, according to a new Job Satisfaction Index released by research group iSelect. Despite strong job security and economic stability, Czechia’s workforce ranks among the least satisfied in Europe, highlighting a growing disconnect between financial well-being and workplace fulfillment.
The study assessed data from across Europe to determine where workers are happiest in their careers, analyzing eight core indicators, including: job security; average working hours; alignment with personal values and purpose; and local purchasing power.
Workers feel unfulfilled
Despite ranking high in economic indicators such as strong job security (only a 2 percent risk of job loss) and high purchasing power, Czechia lags behind in workplace fulfillment. The study reveals that only 35 percent of Czech employees feel their work aligns with their values and purpose, and just 28 percent express confidence in their leadership—two figures well below European averages.
Further compounding the issue, less than half (42 percent) of Czech workers say they “feel trusted” by their employer, and the same proportion believe they are being supported in developing future-ready skills.
How workplaces can improve
While Czechia offers a solid economic footing, it falls short in providing the sense of trust, growth, and purpose that modern workers increasingly value, the report indicates.
The findings suggest that for Czechia to improve workplace satisfaction, organizations may need to shift their focus beyond traditional benefits and prioritize leadership development, cultural alignment, and employee engagement strategies. Workload could also be reduced.
High workload is also an issue
A separate 2024 study found that people in Czechia work an average of 1,766 hours per year. This places Czechia third among EU countries for the highest number of working hours, behind only Greece and Poland.
Another 2024 Deloitte survey revealed that 30 percent of Gen Z saw work-life balance as the most important factor in choosing a job, closely followed by 28 percent of millennials. It also examined why young people in Czechia left their previous jobs. For both generations, insufficient pay was the top reason, rather than workload or inflexibility.
By comparison, in the iSelect ranking, Norway leads in job satisfaction, supported by high leadership confidence (82 percent) and strong employer trust (89 percent). Luxembourg, Switzerland, Denmark, and the Netherlands also top the rankings, driven by low overworking rates and high alignment between company values and employee purpose.
