Central European firms push shorter workweeks and AI‑driven hybrid offices

A recent survey by Czech HR agency Předvýběr shows a shift in employee priorities. While 73 % of Czech workers now report job satisfaction – down from around 80 % in previous years – 31 % say a good salary is the most important factor, and almost 85 % support the introduction of a shorter work week. Remote work is increasingly viewed as a standard condition rather than a benefit, and fewer employees see it as a hiring advantage.

In neighbouring Slovakia, a video interview with Ricoh’s strategic sales specialist highlights how hybrid work has become routine and how artificial‑intelligence tools are reshaping office environments. AI can automatically transcribe, translate and summarise video meetings, freeing staff from administrative tasks. Yet companies typically exploit only 20‑30 % of the capabilities of modern communication technologies. Ricoh is repositioning from a printer manufacturer to a broader technology partner, offering digital document management, space‑usage analytics and AI‑enhanced conferencing solutions, while emphasizing sound quality over video in virtual meetings.