Majority of Indian Employees Not Thriving at Work: Indeed and Forrester Consulting study.

Bengaluru: A joint study by Indeed and Forrester Consulting finds that only 24% of Indian employees experience high levels of workplace wellbeing, while over 75% report low levels. This issue is global, with India aligning closely with the 25% global average of thriving employees. The report, “Work Wellbeing In India 2023 Report: How Thriving People Create Thriving Companies,” aims to gauge employee wellbeing’s impact on job performance, productivity, and retention. Employees with higher wellbeing, identified by the University of Oxford Wellness Research Centre, exhibit characteristics like job satisfaction, low work-related stress, positivity, and a clear sense of purpose in their roles.

Poor Wellbeing Is Often A Sign Of Leadership Issues: Over 67% of employees feel their employer is accountable for their work wellbeing. A substantial 93% observe empathetic leadership from their managers, with 87% citing their managers as role models. About 69% of respondents note senior leadership expecting them to undertake tasks beyond their roles.

Mr. Sashi Kumar, Head of Sales, Indeed India said, “Workplace wellbeing is crucial in our daily lives, whether remote or in-office. Our results suggest its significance will grow further.”

Recruiters Face A Generational Challenge With Gen-Z: Gen-Z (18-26 years) has fewer thriving employees (20%) compared to Millennials (24%) and Gen-X (27%). Older generations also trust employers more for wellbeing, with Gen-Z at 67%, Millennials at 78%, and Gen-X at 74%. This poses challenges for HR and recruitment, as 88% consider finding caring companies important.

Key Takeaways for businesses:

• The 2021 Great Resignation trend highlighted the pitfalls of toxic workplace culture. Contemporary employees, notably Gen-Z, seek substantial commitment from employers.
• Rising demand for work-life balance prompts flexible and hybrid work. Employers should lessen expectations linked to the ‘hustle culture’.
• Managers significantly influence employee wellbeing and satisfaction. Given talent shortages, especially in fields like IT, prioritizing employee wellbeing is crucial for Indian employers.

Methodology:: In an Indeed-commissioned study, Forrester conducted an online survey with 2,132 respondents in India to assess their workplace wellbeing. The participants were adults in the active workforce (18+), including those employed full-time, part-time, or unemployed for less than two years and open to new opportunities.