Indian knowledge workers — professionals who generate value for their organisation with their expertise, critical thinking and interpersonal skills — are the happiest at work when compared to their global counterparts, a study by tech giant HP, the 'HP Work Relationship Index,' found.

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The study encompassed over 15,600 respondents, including knowledge workers, IT decision-makers, and business leaders from 12 countries — India, the United States, France, the United Kingdom, Germany, Spain, Australia, Japan, Mexico, Brazil, Canada, and Indonesia, among others.

India, with a sample size of over 1,300 respondents, had 50 percent of knowledge workers reporting a "profound sense of workplace contentment," a stark contrast to the global average of just 27 percent.

(Source: HP Work Relationship Index)

The report identified six critical drivers of a thriving work relationship — fulfilment, leadership, people-centricity, skills, tools, and workspace. India excelled in the fulfilment and skills aspects, which the report said indicates that Indian workers find contentment and personal growth in their roles.

A key finding from the survey is that India's workforce is increasingly willing to trade higher salaries for job satisfaction — 78 percent of knowledge workers in India reported heightened expectations regarding their relationship with work over the past two or three years, with many even willing to accept lower-paying positions if it meant a better overall work experience.

(Source: HP Work Relationship Index)

Gurpreet Singh Brar, Vice President of HP India market, emphasised this shift in employee priorities, stating, "We're seeing a major change in what matters most to India's workforce. They're seeking job satisfaction through flexibility, mental well-being, effective leadership, and the right tools. Business leaders can leverage this shift by promoting emotionally intelligent leadership, crafting workplaces that align with these desires, and offering the necessary tools and technology to meet their evolving demands."

In the era of hybrid work arrangements, tools and the workplace environment play pivotal roles in motivating and enabling employees, the report stated, adding that Indian knowledge workers are clear in their desire for a say in both technology selection (84 percent) and choosing where they work (75 percent). However, only two in five knowledge workers feel confident that their companies can provide the right tools to support hybrid work effectively.

(Source: HP Work Relationship Index)

Emotional communication within the workplace is another crucial factor for Indian knowledge workers, as per the survey. Eighty percent believe in the importance of fostering open emotional communication, with nearly nine in 10 expressing a willingness to accept lower-paying positions if it means working with emotionally intelligent leaders.

Business leaders themselves concur, with 76 percent acknowledging the importance of emotional intelligence for leadership success and 90 percent emphasising the significance of empathy. However, a substantial gap exists, with 47 percent of knowledge workers feeling that their company's leaders fall short of meeting their emotional expectations.

Also read: Over 40% of India’s graduates under 25 unable to find jobs, says reportSept 20, 2023 5:09 PM

(Edited by : Shoma Bhattacharjee)