Why Our Work System Drains Us

We live in a time of capitalism – or perhaps chauvinism – where each day we ask ourselves if we’ll ever find a normal job. Young people who finish school rarely get a real chance; instead, they face a long struggle for survival. It feels like being thrown to the wolves.

Young People and Their First Jobs

Bosses and certain colleagues often view young workers as naive and incapable. In their minds, the thought is: “A dumb person came here to work.” Instead of being supportive, they become obstacles. Many bosses are arrogant and full of themselves, and that attitude kills motivation.

Salary Isn’t the Only Reason People Leave

It’s often said that people leave the Balkans because of low salaries. While pay is one reason, it’s not the only one. The behavior of colleagues, bosses, and directors is just as important. The constant feeling of being underestimated, of having your effort devalued, can be worse than a small paycheck.

A System That Works Only for Some

The law in Bosnia and Herzegovina can look good on paper, but in practice it mostly benefits only certain people and institutions. Even to get a basic job as a shop assistant, you often need connections. For those who have finished university, the barriers are even greater.

Personal Experience

I’ve changed two companies, and in neither was I satisfied. Manipulation and human stupidity are huge problems. If you say the sky is blue, someone “above” you will come and insist that it’s black. Workers’ remarks are taken in the worst possible way.

Asking for vacation days, paid inventory shifts, or – heaven forbid – sick leave becomes a nightmare. In such a system, getting a normal job where the worker is respected would feel like a shock.

Conclusion

Our work system drains us not only physically but mentally. People face injustice daily, and young people more and more often see leaving the country as the only option. Unless both the laws and workplace behavior change, we’ll remain stuck in a cycle where work is not valued and workers are pushed down.