MORE THAN 80% INDIAN EMPLOYEES DEMAND TO RETURN BACK TO OFFICE: REPORT! 

Ever since the nation wide lockdown has taken place, IT and non-IT companies have introduced the new working culture in India, which is currently the new normal - Work From Home (WFH). 

It been more than three months that employees have been working from home; many are getting adjusted to it while others still complain. As per a real estate consultancy JLL, according to their survey titled Asia Pacific report Home and away: the new hybrid workplace? They got to know that nearly 82 percent of office employees in India miss working from office. 

They also wish to return to work as they see a lack of personal interaction, which is a must for all employees.

As per Money Control report, JLL’s new Asia Pacific report said; while employees enjoyed the freedom of working from home, they missed the human interaction and face-to-face collaboration that working in a professional office environment provides.

With the fear and outbreak of COIVD-19, there are nearly 66 percent of the surveyed employees in India into work-from-home arrangements. The survey conducted, was based on the views of 1,500 employees from five countries across the Asia Pacific. 

In the survey, respondents were asked few questions like:

- the impact of extended periods of remote work

- access to technology

- whether changes in professional behaviour should become permanent

After the survey was taken, there was nearly, 61 percent who said they missed going to the office which is below the percentage recorded in India. Meanwhile, employees of both India and across the Asia Pacific, indicated that they would want a hybrid model combining more flexible work arrangements in the future.

“Employees across India have successfully transitioned to remote working, but our interactions also suggest that many now crave for the office environment's cultural and human experience. It is becoming clearer that the office is here to stay, but greater acceptance of remote working will force a new workplace model for many corporations regionally,” said Ramesh Nair, CEO and Country Head (India), JLL.

Looking into Asia Pacific stats, millennials missed the office more than other age groups. Nearly, 66 percent respondent said human interactions, professional environment, and place for focused work is important to them, Money Control further reported.

Further in the survey, 81 percent said they felt technology ready amid the crisis, and the other 52 percent said they were more productive working from home. However, few respondent stated that they could not afford accommodation with space and amenities for working from home. 

“Offices will continue to play a central role in defining company culture, creating a shared purpose, and meeting employee needs for personal and professional fulfilment. However, COVID-19 will impact how the office looks and feels, as hybrid models comprising flexible work arrangements become mainstream,” said Samantak Das, Chief Economist and Head – Research & REIS, India, JLL.