Work-Life Balance over Pay: 52% of Indian Employees Choose Quitting a Job That Doesn’t Offer Flexibility, Reveals Randstad Workmonitor 2025 Survey
Work-Life Balance over Pay: 52% of Indian Employees Choose Quitting a Job That Doesn’t Offer Flexibility, Reveals Randstad Workmonitor 2025 Survey
● 52% of Indian employees would leave a job if it lacked sufficient flexibility, compared to 31% globally.
● Community is Key: 91% (vs. 85% globally) say workplaces must feel like a community; 93% perform better in such environments.
● Friendship Over Salary: 63% (vs. 36% globally) would accept lower pay for good workplace friendships; 67% prioritize societal impact over earnings.
● Toxicity Triggers Exodus: 58% (vs. 44% globally) have quit due to toxic environments, and 53% (vs. 27% globally) left over discomfort in sharing personal viewpoints.
● Relationship with Manager: 60% of respondents stated they would leave a job if they did not have a good rapport with their manager
Bengaluru, 4th March, 2025 – The Indian workforce is reshaping workplace priorities, with 52% willing to leave jobs that do not offer flexibility according to Randstad India’s Workmonitor 2025 survey. The survey also reveals that 60% would leave a job if they did not have a good rapport with their manager. These findings echo global trends on the changing workplace dynamics in today’s era, where talent is demanding more adaptive, inclusive, and future-ready workplaces.
The Randstad Workmonitor is now in its 22nd year, exploring the views of the talent community to provide an inside look at their attitudes, ambitions and expectations as the world of work continues to transform. The survey highlights how India’s talent landscape is evolving in response to the rise of technology, shifting societal values, and a growing emphasis on purpose-driven work. This year’s Workmonitor survey reveals a slight uptick in active job seekers, rising from 57% to 59%. However, beyond the numbers, a deeper look uncovers a transformative shift in talent priorities in India. Traditional motivators like salary are taking a backseat as factors such as workplace flexibility, a sense of belonging, and opportunities for learning and development (L&D) gain prominence.
The findings of this survey indicate that employees are increasingly prioritizing work that resonates with their personal values and life goals, moving beyond just financial incentives. Factors like job security, mental health support, and work/life balance now hold more significance. In fact, pay has dropped to the fourth spot in importance, reflecting a shift toward a more holistic view of employment.
Workmonitor 2025 – Key Findings
● 69% of Indian workers prioritize a sense of belonging, signaling a shift towards a more inclusive work culture, compared to 55% globally
● 67% of employees would quit if their job did not offer learning and development (L&D) opportunities, compared to 41% globally.
● 43% of Indian employees consider AI training to be the most sought-after L&D opportunity compared to 23% globally.
● Despite 94% feeling valued (vs. 80% globally), 75% hide aspects of their true selves, highlighting gaps in inclusivity.
Motivated by Personalization: The Rise of Values-Driven Work
The demand for flexible working hours is significantly higher across all generations in India compared to global averages due to unique socio-economic and workplace dynamics. Gen Z (62% vs. 45% globally) received flexible working hours as they enter a digital-first job market where long commutes, cultural expectations around family involvement, and high job competition make work-life balance essential.
Millennials (66% vs. 39% globally), who are in their prime career and family-building years, received flexible working hours, as they seek flexibility to manage work alongside childcare and household responsibilities, which lack the institutional support available in many Western economies.
Gen X (65% vs. 25% globally), often in leadership roles, received flexible working hours, as they value it to balance strategic responsibilities with personal well-being, caregiving for aging parents, and family commitments in multi-generational households. Unlike in global markets where hybrid work models are well-established, India’s work culture, infrastructure challenges, and deeply rooted family-oriented responsibilities make flexibility not just a preference but a necessity across generations.
Value alignment, particularly around social and environmental issues, is crucial, with 70% of employees stating they would not work for an organization that doesn’t align with their values. Flexibility continues to be a key decision-making factor, especially in India, where 60% of employees would reject a job without flexible working hours, and 56% would decline roles lacking flexibility in work location. Additionally, 73% of respondents indicated they would trust employers more if personalized work benefits, such as flexible hours and locations, were offered.
Gaining Opportunities through Skilling: AI Literacy Fuels Ambition
As technology reshapes industries, Indian talent prioritizes upskilling:
● L&D Wave: 67% (vs. 41% globally) would quit over inadequate L&D. Women prioritize this more (70% vs. 64% men).
● AI Dominates Skilling Goals: 43% seek AI training (vs. 23% globally), led by Gen X (46%). AI is followed by IT literacy (12%) and Programming/coding (6%) as most sought after L&D opportunities.
● Employers Step Up: 88% (vs. 64% globally) of the survey respondents believe that their employers are actively future-proofing their skills, with 75% (vs. 34% globally) receiving training in the last six months.
● Ownership of Growth: 41% of Indians (vs. 25% globally) view training & upskilling as their responsibility, reflecting a self-driven workforce.
Viswanath PS, MD & CEO, Randstad India, a talent company, said, “The generational divide in Indian workplace expectations is narrowing, and the data is clear—flexibility is no longer a benefit; it’s a baseline expectation across all age groups. Whether it’s Gen Z entering the workforce, millennials balancing career growth with personal commitments, or Gen X in leadership roles, everyone values the ability to work on their own terms. This shift signals a fundamental change for organizations – flexibility must be embedded into work design, not treated as a perk. Equally, the demand for continuous learning highlights that talent isn’t just looking for jobs—they are looking for careers that evolve with them. Employers must recognize this shift and adapt their strategies to meet the evolving expectations of talent. Those who fail to do so risk losing top talent to organizations offering more progressive, personalized work experiences that empower talent to grow, contribute, and thrive in a rapidly changing world of work.”
As India’s dynamic workforce continues to evolve alongside global trends, the Workmonitor survey highlights the critical importance of personalized work benefits, investment in employee growth, and fostering a sense of community. Organizations that embrace these changes and prepare their workforce for the intelligent age will be better positioned to attract top talent and drive long-term success.
