Indeed and Forrester Consulting conducted an online survey of 2,132 respondents in India to evaluate their overall wellbeing at work. Survey participants included adults in the active workforce, i.e., full-time, part-time, or who have been unemployed for less than two years and are open to new opportunities.
The report titled 'Work Wellbeing In India 2023 Report: How Thriving People Create Thriving Companies' found that only 24 per cent of employees in Indian organisations experience high levels of wellbeing at their workplaces. More than three-quarters of all the workers in Indian businesses reported low levels of wellbeing. However, low workplace wellbeing is not unique to India. This is a global problem with survey results indicating that Indian organisations are almost on par with the global average of thriving employees – 25 per cent.
Employees with higher wellbeing are considered to be ‘thriving at work’. According to the University of Oxford Wellness Research Centre, such employees have the following defining characteristics or experiences – high levels of job satisfaction, low levels of work-related stress, high levels of positivity/happiness, and a clear sense of purpose in their role at the organisation.
Poor Wellbeing Is Often A Sign Of Leadership Issues
As per the report, over 67 per cent of employees agree that their employer is responsible for their work wellbeing. Characteristics of such workplaces include a feeling of inclusivity, acceptance, respectful interactions, and the presence of supportive managers. An overwhelming majority (93 per cent) say their manager displays empathetic leadership, 87 per cent say their manager leads by example. According to 69 per cent of the employees surveyed, the senior leadership in their organisations expected people to take on more work outside their stated responsibilities.
Sashi Kumar, Head of Sales, Indeed India said, “Wellbeing at work is an integral part of our daily lives, whether we're working remotely or in the office. Our findings indicate that emphasis on wellbeing at work will only increase going forward.”
Recruiters Face A Generational Challenge With Gen-Z
The survey results also reveal a clear generational shift in the attitudes of employees toward wellbeing. There are fewer thriving employees from the Gen-Z cohort of 18 to 26-year-olds (20 per cent) when compared to the older Millennials (24 per cent) and Gen-X (27 per cent). The older employees also express more trust in their employers' ability to prioritise employee wellbeing. 67 per cent of GenZ believe their employers connect wellbeing and happiness to business success. With Millennials and Gen-X, the figures reported were 78 per cent and 74 per cent.
This divide presents significant challenges for HR and recruitment managers, since over 88 per cent believe it’s important to find companies that care about how you feel.
Key Takeaways