Indian employees experience low levels of wellbeing at the workplace

• Over 67% of employees believe their employer holds responsibility for their work wellbeing.
  
• Around 69% of surveyed noted that senior leadership in their organisations expects them to take on additional responsibilities beyond their designated roles.
  
• Among the Gen-Z group (18 to 26-year-olds), fewer individuals thrive at work (20%) in comparison to older millennials (24%) and Gen-X (27%).
  

More than three-quarters of all the workers in Indian businesses reported low levels of wellbeing, but this is not unique to India. A joint report by Indeed and Forrester Consulting has found that only 24% of employees in Indian organisations experience high levels of wellbeing at their workplaces. The survey results indicate that Indian organisations are almost on par with the global average of thriving employees – 25%.

The above reading translates to over three-quarters of Indian workers expressing low levels of wellbeing, according to the report. The aim of the "Work Wellbeing In India 2023 Report: How Thriving People Create Thriving Companies" was to gauge employee wellbeing data and assess their influence on aspects such as job performance, workplace efficiency, and staff retention in organisations.

Employees with elevated wellbeing are categorised as 'thriving at work,' embodying traits outlined by the University of Oxford Wellness Research Centre: notable job satisfaction, minimal work-related stress, heightened positivity/happiness, and a distinct sense of purpose within their organisational role.

Poor workplace wellbeing often indicate leadership issues

According to the survey, over 67% of employees believe their employer holds responsibility for their work wellbeing. These workplaces are marked by inclusivity, acceptance, respectful interactions, and supportive management. A significant majority (93%) report their managers exhibit empathetic leadership, with 87% indicating they lead by example.

However, such instances are infrequent, as indicated by extensive studies on workplace culture in India. Around 69% of surveyed employees noted that senior leadership in their organisations expects them to take on additional responsibilities beyond their designated roles.

Says Sashi Kumar, Head of Sales, Indeed India, “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.”

Workplace wellbeing of Gen-Z a bigger challenge

The survey findings exhibit a noticeable generational shift in employee attitudes toward wellbeing. Among the Gen-Z group (18 to 26-year-olds), fewer individuals thrive at work (20%) in comparison to older millennials (24%) and Gen-X (27%).

Older employees also exhibit more confidence in their employers' capacity to prioritise employee wellbeing. Among Gen-Z, 67% believe their employers associate wellbeing and happiness with business success, while the figures for millennials and Gen-X were 78% and 74%, respectively. This divide poses significant challenges for HR and recruitment managers, as over 88% of respondents view it as crucial to find companies that prioritise emotional well-being.