- 82% India employees have been asked to work a fixed number of days from
office, a majority of them have happily
embraced the mandate
- Work-life balance is the top priority -
flexibility needs evolving beyond just hybrid
- Quality workplace experience key to bridging
acceptance-compliance gap
MUMBAI, 4th NOVEMBER 2025 – India is
spearheading the global Return-to-Office (RTO) movement by a significant
margin. According to the JLL Workplace Preference Barometer 2025 report, 82% of
Indian employees are subject to work-from-office mandates, with the majority (8
in 10) expressing positive sentiment toward RTO policies. The leading sectors
driving RTO adoption are technology companies, Banking, Services &
Financial Institutions (BSFI), and the education sector. Indian
corporates have successfully cracked the code on workplace excellence, with 83%
of employees describing their work environment as close to ideal—a figure that
significantly outpaces the Asia-Pacific average of 64%.
“This is a pivotal moment for Indian organizations. As hybrid work
matures, we see 83% of employees expressing positive sentiment towards
return-to-office policies, underscoring the need for workplaces to be high on
human-centered design. Talent attraction is also being reshaped 6 in 10 now
cite flexibility as their top priority when choosing a new employer. Alongside
this, organizations are fast-tracking AI adoption through targeted pilot
programs, with 96% of India’s workforce engaging with AI tools—well above the
regional average. Those able to balance productivity, flexibility, and
continuous learning will define the next decade of business success in India,”
said JipuJose James, Managing Director, Project & Development Service
(PDS), India, JLL.
Flexibility drives talent decisions
The business impact is significant: 60% of Indian employees cite
flexibility as the primary factor when selecting new employers, outperforming
the APAC average of 54% This data demonstrates that forward-thinking
organizations offering flexible work options will have a competitive advantage
in attracting top talent.
From sentiment to performance
Converting the remarkable positive sentiment into enhanced productivity
requires a three-pronged strategic approach. First, workplace experience
enhancement must focus on creating environments that genuinely justify the
commute through superior collaboration tools, premium comfort amenities, and
flexible spaces that adapt to diverse work styles. Second, flexible time
management should evolve beyond basic hybrid models to offer individualized
scheduling that respects personal circumstances while maintaining essential
team connectivity. Finally, well-being integration must address the 28%
with negative sentiment by systematically tackling concerns around
work-life balance, commute challenges, and productivity optimization.
Burnout is real though
The research highlights a growing wellbeing challenge: 54% of
employees in India are experiencing moderate to elevated levels of burnout,
creating a significant drag on organizational performance, and directly fueling
attrition challenges. This statistic represents millions of workers whose
productivity, engagement, and loyalty are compromised by unsustainable work
pressures and inadequate support systems. 6 out of 10 employees would actively
select a new employer based solely on flexible work arrangement availability,
transforming workplace flexibility from a nice-to-have perk into a fundamental
competitive differentiator.
These interconnected challenges—burnout affecting more than half the
workforce and flexibility driving 60% of employment decisions—create a perfect
storm that threatens organizational performance and talent retention
simultaneously. Forward-thinking organizations can transform these
challenges into strategic advantages by cultivating genuinely supportive work
environments and providing enhanced flexibility that enables seamless work-life
integration. This isn't merely about damage control—it's about creating
workplace cultures that proactively address employee needs before they escalate
into retention issues.
India’s competitive advantage realized
The convergence of employee enthusiasm, regional policy leadership, and
favorable demographic trends creates an unprecedented opportunity for Indian
organizations to enhance both employee satisfaction and business performance
simultaneously. The data provides clear evidence that Indian employees are
ready, willing, and genuinely optimistic about office return—creating the ideal
conditions for organizations to capitalize on this momentum through strategic
workplace investments. This represents more than just a return to office; it is
an opportunity for Indian businesses to lead the global conversation on
successful workplace transformation while strengthening their competitive
advantage in talent retention and employee satisfaction. The foundation of
positive sentiment has been established—now the opportunity lies in converting
this enthusiasm into sustained engagement, enhanced productivity, and
organizational excellence that positions India as a global leader in the future
of work.
“Employers that wish to attract and retain top performers must move beyond simply mandating office attendance. Instead, they should focus on creating workplaces that employees actively want to be part of, offering flexibility that genuinely improves quality of life, addressing burnout through sustainable work practices, and investing in inclusive, future-focused skills development,” said Kamya Miglani, Head of Work Dynamics Research, Asia Pacific, JLL.
