According to the latest Employer of First Choice survey, conducted in 2024 by Alma Career Croatia via the MojPosao portal, JGL has once again ranked highly – earning sixth place among the most desirable employers in Croatia’s manufacturing sector.
This marks the 20th anniversary of the Employer of First Choice survey, which is based entirely on respondents’ free choice and perceptions of Croatian companies. In 2024, more than 34,000 respondents took part in the survey, making it one of the most relevant indicators of employer perception on the labour market.
At the top of the list is Rimac Group, followed by INA, Pliva, Atlantic Grupa, and Coca-Cola HBC Croatia, while Končar, Podravka, Kraš and Siemens were ranked just behind JGL. In the overall ranking of the most desirable employers, JGL placed 19th, while dm-drogerie markt secured the top spot for the fifteenth consecutive year.
With this recognition, JGL once again told the story of its values – accountability, respect, unity, and sustainability – not as mere declarations, but as principles embedded in our daily work, decisions and relationships. That’s why market recognition of JGL as one of the most desirable employers carries even greater significance.
“This kind of recognition was never our goal – but it’s a meaningful sign that what we live and foster within JGL is visible on the outside as well. What pleases us most is that the perception of JGL as a desirable employer reflects something I deeply believe our people feel internally: that it’s worth staying here, learning, and growing. In a time of great change, maintaining that perception and sustaining engagement speaks to something even more important – that we are building relationships that last. This carries additional weight for us because it confirms something we’ve been building for decades: a culture of trust, opportunity, and stability. And most importantly – we remain committed to the people we’re building it with,” said Lorena Dika, Director of Corporate HR.
In the survey, participants identified three key criteria that define an ideal employer. In first place is the opportunity for professional development (50%) followed by quality interpersonal relationships (41%) and job security (37%). A fair relationship between superiors and employees, a positive company image, and a healthy work-life balance are also highly valued.
These factors not only shape the image of a “dream” employer but also play a crucial role in employee retention – 36% of respondents already working for their ideal employer say they are satisfied and not considering a job change, while only 11% often think about it. This data further underscores the importance of fostering a high-quality, supportive work environment.