Unique Experience of Working "From Home" - in Croatia: Seaside Offices
May 3, 2021 - German Alexandra Horvat is behind the idea that offers her clients a unique experience of working "from home" -- in Croatia, intended for those wishing to replace their home office during lockdown with an apartment with a sea view.
"Sitting at the computer for hours on end is different when you can see the endless blue of the sea behind the monitor", said 28-year-old Norman Bertram who swapped his Hannover office for one in Marušići near Omiš.
"This is wonderful, I've been here for four weeks. Since Germany is in a complete lockdown, it is very relaxing to just sit here and watch the sea every day, regardless of the job. What I like most is freedom of movement and having everything close by. Yesterday, I went down to the beach, sunbathed a bit and had a swim", say Norman.
The woman responsible for making such an experience possible is Alexandra Horvat. After she had decided to move from Germany to Croatia, she put together what Croats have in front of their noses but don't appreciate enough.
"In these times of coronavirus, the concept of a non-classic office is what many need. I have seen for myself how staying here has had a positive effect on me and my family, so I thought: why not turn it into a project everyone would benefit from? I firmly believe this is something that will take off also after COVID, because the future is in mobile business, when work and leisure will be closely linked", Alexandra said.
It didn't take long from the idea to its realisation. She bought a house in Mimice, contacted local renters, who recognised the benefits of the project. In order not to leave the apartments empty out of season, they offer them at a lower price, and Alexandra and her team are in charge of office equipment, which they install on site, and of the entire logistic support, including food, excursions, wellness, doctors and anything else guests might need.
The most important thing is that young people get the opportunity to work, learn and progress, Alexandra Horvat says, noting that after moving she first noticed a lot of young people without prospects who only think about leaving Croatia. She wanted to show that conditions for a decent life can be created everywhere with a little will and effort, especially when it comes to the IT industry.
She thinks that for a small local community such as the one in Omiš, where she decided to establish her base, employing five young people is a big deal.
That the concept is successful is confirmed by inquiries and bookings from companies and independent clients not only from Germany but also from the USA, Ireland, Austria, the United Kingdom, Norway and Russia. How everything will develop depends on each country and the restrictions currently in place there.
If you want to know more about Omiš, be sure to check Total Croatia's guide HERE.
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Working From Home Erases Line Between Working Hours and Private Time - Round Table
ZAGREB, October 5, 2020 - The Bridge party organised a round table on Monday on the topic "Working from Home: Do we have the right of disconnect", which discussed amendments to the Labour Act due to the coronavirus, where a lot of people work from home and the line between working hours and private time disappears.
The discussion was organised following announcements that changes would be made to the Labour Act. A lot of workers work from home due to the coronaviurs situation and in many cases have to work more and need to be available all the time.
"It has been seen in practice that work from home often leads to an overlap between working hours and private time and that the fine line is being moved or erased completely," president of the Independent Croatian Unions, Kresimir Sever, said.
He explained that an employee's working hours with an employer are clearly defined, but if that employee starts working from home, a good portion of employers abuse that and expect employees to work a lot more, leaving less time for leisure activities.
"Until such time that that system is put in order, we cannot talk about real remote work," said Sever.
He added that times of crises are not a good time to amend laws.
"Laws should not be adapted to crisis situations, but should be regulated during normal times, emphasising that a crisis may occur," he said.
He warned that the crisis situation is being exploited to introduce a more flexible labour system in Croatia which is unacceptable for the unions, and all under the guise that remote work has to be regulated.
"The Labour Act is extremely flexible in Croatia. It allows employers a wide spectrum to arrange labour relations. The thing that would provide real flexibility is collective bargaining and there is very little of that in Croatia," Sever believes.
Viktor Gotovac from the Labour and Social Law Department at the Faculty of Law does not agree that the law is good as it does not regulate remote working.
"That means that the law is not good. We have student contracts, employing pensioners, author's contracts, everything just not to change the law... I worked form home after the earthquake and my employer immediately cut off my travel allowance, but I was not paid for using my own premises, resources," Gotovac underlined.
He did not agree that the coronavirus caused the problem but rather pointed out what needs to be changed for a better legislative framework which would regulate wages, working hours and leave.
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