It came as a surprise to me that a big proportion of work force in India gives high marks to flexible working conditions. I believe, it is the new mindset after Covid 19. Whatever the reason, firms and other employers should not ignore this aspect in their overall HR thinking.
The latest Indeed Hiring Tracker (report for the July-September 2024 quarter) reports that 42% of job seekers in the white-collar category mention flexibility in working hours as a non-negotiable factor in choosing new roles.
Flexibility now comes immediately after traditional top considerations, viz. better pay (56%) and career advancement (47%).
Look at this trend in the context of the preferences of employers: Even the most progressive employer fears giving too much flexibility/ leeway in working schedule, work from home, etc. and yet would not want to make his good employees unhappy. Further, they want to reduce workforce using new technology, including the AI. They also want employees to leverage new tech.
Not brought out in this Indeed report, but think of what type of attributes the employer values the most: talent (and specialization), loyalty (to the organization's interests, even if not an attachment with the organization), and satisfactory conduct (that would include teamwork). If this is generally true for most organizations, there is a valid reason why managements are not comfortable with employees seeking flexibility in working conditions. Only some employers seem to feel that flexibility in working hours and location keeps the employees motivated.
A recent report on Indian Gen Z professionals' preferences, brought out by apna.co, says that these employees (at present in their 20s and 30s) give high value to mentorship and career growth over traditional metrices such as salary. In workplaces, they give high value to work environment rather than just work and get a fat pay-cheque. They also seem to prefer a 'hybrid' model of working (part working in office, part work-from-home).
It would also be relevant to mention here about a recent report on UK employees, in which more than two-thirds of employees showed preference for flexible working. In another survey, a third even preferred it over pay rise!
Also relevant is the fact that in recent months, some Indian employers have restricted or stopped work from home for their employees, which they had granted during Covid-19.
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