India Leads Workplace Flexibility Across APAC Regions

Amid a global push by companies to get workers to return to office, ADP's People at Work 2023 report reveals that 44 per cent of Indian employees are engaged in a fully flexible work model, outpacing other APAC countries. This trend contrasts with 16 per cent in China, 20 per cent in Australia, and 24 per cent in Singapore. Notably, 74 per cent of the surveyed Indian employees reported increased productivity, crediting the success to remote work thus explaining the acceptance of this model at offices.

The study, based on responses from over 32,000 workers across 17 countries, revealed that only 14 per cent of Indians reported working from the office everyday while 41 per cent are engaged in a hybrid model with a certain number of days in the office each week and the rest can be working from home. 85 per cent of all survey respondents in India still enjoy working from home in some capacity.

When it comes to flexibility of location, 43 per cent of survey respondents reported organisational approval for working from anywhere in the world, and 42 per cent have the flexibility to work from anywhere within India. 74 per cent of respondents also reported a productivity increase and attributed this to the remote work model.

Another striking revelation was that 76 per cent of surveyed women, including 78 per cent who are working mothers, feel empowered by flexible working arrangements. This serves as a powerful facilitator in retaining women in the workforce, enabling them to effectively balance the demands of both their professional and personal lives. In fact, the survey revealed that 27 per cent of respondents prioritize flexibility of work hours in their jobs among which 31 per cent are women and 25 per cent are men, indicating a preference for flexible working hours among working women.

Rahul Goyal, Managing Director, ADP India & Southeast Asia said, "Amid the global debate on workers returning to the workplace, India stands out in offering the highest workplace flexibility in APAC, showcasing India Inc.’s commitment to creating a progressive work environment. Notably, a significant number of women are leading the charge in seeking workplace flexibility. In the face of this transition, it’s important for organizations to be cognizant of the different needs of workers and accordingly adopt a viable workplace strategy that works for everyone rather than deploying a cookie cutter approach. This can ensure that organizations in India not just ride this wave of change but set the pace for a future where the workplace is as dynamic as the workforce itself."

The research also provides insights into worker expectations over the next 3-5 years. While 35 per cent anticipate remote work will continue to be part of workplace arrangements, 31 per cent foresee a shift to a hybrid model. An additional 29% anticipate closer monitoring of work outcomes resulting from the remote/hybrid models and 39 per cent are anticipating full flexibility of hours based on productivity and results metrics. Interestingly, 25 per cent of workers are also expecting a reduction in manual tasks due to AI.