9-in-10 Professionals Think Hybrid Work is Crucial for Work-Life Balance

Over 86 percent of professionals in India believe that a hybrid work model will help them strike the right balance between their personal and professional lives, according to the ‘Future of Work’ perception study by research firm Censuswide. Launched by LinkedIn, the study reveals that conversations of burnout have increased dramatically across the workforce as a majority of professionals continue to work remotely.

The study shows that 1 in 3 professionals in India is burnt out due to increased workload 35 percent and stress 34 percent while working remotely in India. To shelter from such distressing times, professionals are prioritizing their well-being and finding ways to strike the right balance. In fact, half of India’s workforce believes that work-life balance 52 percent is just as important as their salary 52percent today.

The study analyzed insights of 1,108 respondents in the age group of 16 to 68, who were working from home during the pandemic due to government restrictions. The survey successfully captured the sentiments of the largely Indian workforce citing the impact of remote work – their plans to return to work, and their perception about work model preferences for the future.

Looking into the future, the Indian workforce is convinced that a hybrid work model can alleviate their distress and help them disconnect. The study shows that nearly 9 in 10 respondents think that hybrid work will positively impact their work-life balance. When asked why, 48 percent stated that a hybrid model would allow them to spend equal time on their personal goals and professional lives.

“Long-term remote work has left professionals fatigued in India. This has caused a shift in the idea of what is important in our lives and has led to what we call ‘The Great Talent Reshuffle’. At this time, we encourage companies to explore stronger flexible offerings and more mental health time off, as professionals are now seeking a greater balance and more fulfilment in their lives,” says Ashutosh Gupta, India Country Manager, LinkedIn.

Professionals believe going back to office can boost career growth and financial stability. Hybrid or not, professionals in India are keen to go back to the office. The study shows that more than 7 in 10 respondents think working from home would negatively impact their career growth while more than 55 percent said their professional learning had already taken a severe hit. When asked why, more than half of the workforce stated “less face-time with bosses and leaders” while one-thirds said “it gets harder to learn from peers remotely.”