Seven Croatian companies recognized as Above and Beyond employers for 2026

At the 10th Lider HR Conference, SELECTIO Group, Croatia’s leading HR consultancy group, awarded Above and Beyond certificate to companies that consistently invest in advancing their HR practices and help shape the direction of HR development in Croatia.

The Above and Beyond employers for 2026 are A1 Hrvatska d.o.o., Atlantic Grupa d.d., Hrvatski Telekom d.d., JADRAN - GALENSKI LABORATORIJ d.d., Kaufland Hrvatska k.d., Pliva Hrvatska d.o.o., and Podravka d.d.

Taking HR excellence to the next level

The Above and Beyond certificate is designed for companies whose overall HR systems have already been validated through the Employer Partner certification. An additional evaluation recognizes organizations that demonstrate outstanding performance in one or more of five categories: Impact (measurable HR contribution to business results), Satisfaction (employee experience and satisfaction), Inclusion (inclusivity within the organization and in the wider community), Innovation (new approaches to people management that create competitive advantage), and Future (sustainable practices and preparedness for long-term challenges).

These categories are particularly relevant to executive leadership teams, as they highlight HR’s contribution to business performance, innovation in organizational practices, and the long-term sustainability of workforce capabilities through reskilling, upskilling, and strategic workforce planning.

Unlike awards recognizing individual projects, the Above and Beyond certificate evaluates the HR system as a whole, including its impact on business performance and organizational culture. This approach distinguishes isolated initiatives from organizations that integrate employee development, performance management, and business strategy into a cohesive, interconnected system.

Seven companies, different strategies for excellence

This year's Above and Beyond employers demonstrate how advanced HR practices can translate into tangible business advantages through different strategic priorities: HR impact on business performance (Atlantic Grupa and Hrvatski Telekom), employee satisfaction (Atlantic Grupa), inclusion (A1 Hrvatska), innovation (A1 Hrvatska, Atlantic Grupa, Hrvatski Telekom, JGL, Kaufland Hrvatska, and Pliva Hrvatska), and long-term workforce capability development (A1 Hrvatska, Atlantic Grupa, Hrvatski Telekom, JGL, Kaufland Hrvatska, Pliva Hrvatska, and Podravka).

All seven certified companies also hold the Equal Pay Champion certificate, through which SELECTIO Group recognizes employers committed to the principle of equal pay for equal work and the development of fairer compensation systems.

From process excellence to business impact

HR in Croatia is increasingly taking on a role in creating business value rather than simply supporting business operations. According to SELECTIO Group data collected from 133 companies evaluated using the Employer Partner methodology, HR acts as a strategic business partner in 81% of organizations, while in one in five companies, the HR director is a member of the executive management team.

This strategic position also brings changing expectations. HR quality can no longer be assessed solely through well-designed processes. Greater emphasis is being placed on the outcomes those processes deliver, the employee experience they create, and their contribution to an organization's ability to attract, develop, and retain the talent needed to achieve its business objectives. The Above and Beyond employers demonstrate this shift in practice, reflecting what the market increasingly expects from HR.

“Above and Beyond organizations set a benchmark in the market through the maturity and quality of their HR systems. Building on these strong foundations, they create a competitive advantage in areas such as inclusion, innovative HR initiatives, positioning HR as a strategic business partner, and fostering an organizational culture that is essential for attracting and retaining talent. This is precisely why such organizations will be much better equipped to withstand external pressures and economic challenges,” said Lara Šubić Šuša, Head of HR Consulting at SELECTIO.