Randstad Workmonitor Survey: Blurred Lines between Working Hours and Private Time Among India Inc.

Work-life balance continues to be an evolving topic for India Inc. Changes in demographics with increased diversity at the workplace, including two earner families suggests that work-life is becoming an increasingly important issue.

The recent Randstad Workmonitor survey reflects blurred lines between working hours and private time among India Inc. A whopping 74% of the respondents of the survey indicated that their employers expect them to be available outside regular office hours. 78% of the employees mentioned that they are also expected to be available by phone and email during holidays as well. 64% of both male and female respondents indicated that they do feel extremely pressured to do so, which clearly reveals the increasing work-life balance issues among India Inc. China and India rank well above the global average on both statements.

69% of the survey respondents mentioned that they sometimes deal with private matters during working hours. Male respondents reflected this trend a little higher (70%) than female respondents (67%).

Interestingly enough, 76% of the employees mentioned that they do not mind handling work-related matters in their private time and a staggering 75% from India indicated that they do this because they would like to stay involved. Almost equivalent number of male and female respondents opined the same.

84% of the respondents mentioned that they prefer having an option to choose if they get their holidays in time off or paid in money. 82% said they respond to work-related calls and emails immediately after the regular office hours.

Presenting the survey insights, Dr. Moorthy K. Uppaluri, MD & CEO, Randstad India said, “Today, the way India Inc. works have undergone a paradigm shift. ‘Going to work’ is all about getting work done regardless of where one is and thus an ideal workplace is one that eliminates geographical and technological barriers to create a dynamic ecosystem where work travels to people; not the other way round. Employers should be cognizant of this scenario where the boundaries of work and life are getting blurred and hence offer their workforce with the much needed flexibility and freedom at work to keep them motivated”.

Dr. Uppaluri further added that, “The SMAC phenomenon is enabling ‘work anytime anywhere’ a reality. India Inc. is now moving towards being more accommodative about the changing expectations and demands of today’s generation of smart professionals and realizes that this in turn offers immense business benefits as well, including significant cost savings, augmented employee satisfaction levels, an overall increase in efficiency and productivity. I am confident to say that in the long run, it’s going to be a win-win scenario for both the employers and the employees”.

Other key findings from India:

Job Satisfaction Level:

83% of the respondents surveyed expressed a satisfaction with their respective employers in India.

Likelihood of Job Shifts:

The appetite to change jobs (applying and actively looking) dropped to 21% in India (compared to 24% last quarter). 19% of the respondents are passive job seekers.

Actual Job Change:

This quarter, the survey reflected the highest actual job change in India and Malaysia. 50% of the survey respondents from India mentioned that they have changed their jobs in the last six months and this trend is really high within the age group of 25-34 years.  Almost 64% of the survey respondents who fell within this age group mentioned the same, followed by 49% from the 18-24 years age group.

Job Loss Fear:

Among Indian employees, the job loss fear has increased to 23% over the last quarter, indicating diminishing confidence among them.

Focus on Promotion:

The survey indicated a balance in men and women having an equally strong focus on getting a promotion. 46% men and 47% women employees who participated in the survey indicated the same.

*Mobility Index:

India’s mobility index dropped to 148 from 150 reported in the previous quarter.

About Randstad Workmonitor:

The Randstad Workmonitor was launched in 2003, and now covers 34 countries around the world, encompassing Europe, Asia Pacific, and the Americas. The Randstad Workmonitor is published four times a year, making both local and global trends in mobility regularly visible over time.

*The Mobility Index, which tracks employee confidence and captures expectations surrounding the likelihood of changing employers within a six month time frame, provides a comprehensive understanding of job market sentiments and employee trends. In addition to measuring mobility, also employee satisfaction and personal motivation, as well as a rotating set of themed questions are part of the survey.

The quantitative study is conducted via an online questionnaire among a population aged 18-65, working a minimum of 24 hours a week in a paid job (not self-employed). The minimal sample size is 400 interviews per country, using Survey Sampling International. In India, more than 600 interviews were conducted.

About Randstad India:

Randstad India offers the broadest HR services portfolio ranging from Staffing, Search & Selection to Recruitment Process Outsourcing (RPO). The organization has a vast network of offices across the country to be within the reach of clients, candidates and flexi workers.  The company, previously called Ma Foi is a leader in the HR services industry in India for the past 23 years and became part of Randstad through its global acquisition of Vedior in 2008. Randstad is the global #2 HR services provider active in 39 countries across the globe. Randstad India continues to focus on developing customized and innovative HR services, leveraging on its unique strengths of geographical presence and end-to-end capability across all HR service functions.

For more information: www.randstad.in

About Randstad:

Randstad specializes in solutions in the field of flexible work and human resources services. Our services range from regular temporary staffing and permanent placements to inhouse, professionals, search & selection, and HR Solutions. The Randstad Group is one of the leading HR services providers in the world, with top-three positions in Argentina, Belgium & Luxembourg, Canada, Chile, France, Germany, Greece, India, Mexico, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland, the UK, and the United States as well as major positions in Australia and Japan. In 2014, Randstad had approximately 29,000 corporate employees and around 4,400 branches and inhouse locations in 39 countries around the world. Randstad generated revenue of € 17.2 billion in 2014. Randstad was founded in 1960 and is headquartered in Diemen, the Netherlands. Randstad Holding nv is listed on the NYSE Euronext Amsterdam, where options for stocks in Randstad are also traded.

For more information:  www.randstad.com