J.d.o.o. owes 3yrs of overtime/pay slips. Lawyer says hopeless, but I have signed confession?
Hello everyone. I am 20 years old, and my employment recently ended (last working day was May 7, 2026) at a catering j.d.o.o. (simple limited liability company). I decided to fight for my rights because the conditions were catastrophic, but I’m interested in an experienced opinion since, during a free legal consultation, I was told the case is "hopelessly difficult."
I am a citizen of Ukraine and I hold a Green Card (Temporary Protection in the Republic of Croatia).
Here is the situation—I have some weaknesses, but I also have strong advantages.
What the employer has against me:
On paper, it was formally recorded that I only worked regular hours and had weekends off.
What I have against the employer (j.d.o.o.):
Written Admission: I drafted a document precisely listing all his violations of the Labor Act. The director read it and personally signed it.
Pay Slips: In 3 years of work, I did not receive a single pay slip (which is a violation in itself and a withholding of an enforceable document).
Evidence of Saturday Work: Although I was recorded as having days off, I regularly worked Saturdays (and for the last three months, I worked Sundays as well). I have my search history / Google Timeline with my work location.
WhatsApp Correspondence: I have messages sent to a fellow cook (e.g., notifying him that I’ll be slightly late for a shift) sent on Saturday mornings when, according to the records, I was supposed to be home.
Annual Leave: My last vacation was 10 months ago (July 2025). They did not pay me the compensation for the unused proportional part of my 2026 leave on my last working day.
Is my case truly "hopeless" for the Labor Inspectorate or the court, despite having his signature on a notice of violations and digital trails proving weekend work? Any advice or direction on how to best use this evidence is welcome. Thank you in advance!