The quality of work is not determined solely by salary, but by a combination of factors that affect the overall work experience and the individual's personal life.
In addition to income, there are six other factors that influence, namely: Quality of working time; Job prospects and security; Skills and autonomy at work; Work intensity; Social environment at work; Physical work environment. Together, these factors provide a complete picture of working conditions.
According to a recent study by Eurofound, a project of the European Commission, these seven elements are directly linked to the well-being, motivation, productivity and health of employees. Eurofound measured the quality of work in its survey on working conditions and sustainable work, which is carried out once every 5 years and was published in April, which includes, in addition to EU countries, the countries of the Western Balkans. The index value for each indicator is measured from 0 (worst situation), to 100 (best situation).
Higher job quality is associated with more life satisfaction, greater work engagement, higher social trust, and less likelihood of employees leaving their jobs.
According to the report, there are significant differences in job quality scores across countries, reflecting different workforce compositions, institutional frameworks and regulations. Denmark, Finland, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and Norway report the highest job quality scores across most dimensions, while Western Balkan countries report the lowest scores on average.
Albanian employees report the greatest dissatisfaction with income, quality of working time, social and physical environment, lack of perspective, workload, while they are slightly more positive about developing their work skills.
Income, Albanians among the most dissatisfied
Albanian employees are most dissatisfied with their income , where they rank at the bottom of the list, along with Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia, with 53 points, out of 58, which is the European average, while Greece is at the bottom of the list with 52 points.
The same report found that 39% of Albanian employees have difficulty or a lot of difficulty closing the month, compared to the European average of 8%. This percentage is the highest in Europe and there is a big difference with other countries. The second place after us is Greece, where 21% of respondents claim that they cannot postpone the end of the month.
Interestingly, Kosovo's workers, despite being the country with the lowest salaries in Europe, are not at the bottom of the list in the income indicator, ranking with 58 points, at the level of the European average and higher than countries like France, Spain, or Italy.
The earnings indicator measures the extent to which work provides a living for the employee. It includes the level of income, its predictability, and how fair it is perceived in relation to the effort and work performed.
Quality of working time, penultimate
Another indicator where Albania is second to last is the quality of working time , with 64 points (out of the European average of 75), leaving only Montenegro behind.
The Working Time Quality indicator assesses the quality of time spent at work. It focuses on the length of working hours, working non-standard hours, the flexibility and predictability of schedules, and the control that employees have over their working time.
Albanian employees work in a negative social environment
Another indicator where Albania is second to last is related to the social environment, with 73 points, out of the European average of 79, leaving only Montenegro behind.
Social environment refers to employees' need for supportive relationships in the workplace, both with colleagues and managers. It includes the absence of negative social behaviors and the quality of management.
The most severe physical environment in Europe for Albania and Kosovo
Even for the physical environment, Albania ranks second to last in Europe (70 points out of the EU average of 81), leaving only Kosovo behind.
The Physical Environment indicator measures exposure to physical hazards and physical demands in the workplace.
Even for job prospects, Albanian employees rank at the bottom, with 72 points, compared to the European average of 75 points, leaving behind Slovakia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia, Romania, the Czech Republic and Montenegro, and Kosovo (which is last in Europe for lack of job prospects).
The Prospects indicator relates to workers' need for security and control over the future. It includes career prospects, job security, vulnerability and employment status, as these factors affect access to social protection.
High workload
Albanian employees think they have a relatively high intensity at work, with 60 points, out of 67 which is the European average, leaving behind Norway, Kosovo, Montenegro, Malta and Cyprus.
The Work Intensity indicator refers to the pace at which work is performed during working hours. It takes into account the workload and emotional demands of the job, as well as the constraints that affect the pace of work. These constraints can be imposed by clients, managers, or production targets. The more constraints there are, the more difficult it becomes to work at the preferred pace and the higher the risk of conflicting priorities.
Albanian employees believe in their abilities at work
Albania ranks better in the work skills indicator, with 55 points, very close to the EU average of 57 points, leaving behind many countries such as Spain, Montenegro, Portugal, Greece, Italy. But even in this indicator, Kosovo is far above us (60 points).
The Skills and Discretion indicator relates to the need for employees to use and develop their skills at work, as well as to develop through professional experience. It includes the cognitive aspects of work, opportunities for development, freedom in decision-making, participation in the organization, and training.
The European Working Conditions Survey 2024, published in April this year, provides a comprehensive picture of the quality of work in Europe, analyzing workforce characteristics, workplaces, job quality and quality of working life.
The survey is an important tool for policymakers, as it highlights the role of job quality in achieving sustainable and inclusive growth in Europe.
The survey findings are based on 36,644 face-to-face interviews conducted in 35 countries. Each interview lasted around 45 minutes, providing a unique insight into the state of work in Europe.
This survey has been conducted regularly since 1990, providing a comparable series of data on working conditions in Europe at five-year intervals. Monitor.al
