Indians prioritise work-life balance, willing to quit inflexible jobs: Survey
Bengaluru: Amid discussions on the 90-hour workweek, a Randstad survey reveals that 52% of Indian workers would quit a job lacking flexibility—significantly higher than the global average of 31%.
According to Randstad India's Workmonitor 2025 study, 60% of respondents would leave a job if they did not get along with their manager. The survey, released on Tuesday, also found that 58% of Indian workers (compared to 44% globally) have left jobs due to toxic workplaces, while 53% (compared to 27% globally) quit because they felt uncomfortable expressing their opinions.
Viswanath PS, MD & CEO of Randstad India, stated, “Flexibility is no longer a perk but a baseline expectation across all age groups. Whether it’s Gen Z entering the workforce, millennials balancing career and family, or Gen X in leadership roles, everyone values the ability to work on their own terms.” He emphasised that organisations must integrate flexibility into work design or risk losing talent to more progressive workplaces.
The survey highlights a shift in workplace priorities, with traditional motivators like salary being replaced by factors such as flexibility, a sense of belonging, and learning and development (L&D) opportunities. Around 69% of Indian workers prioritise a sense of belonging (compared to 55% globally), and 67% would leave a job without L&D opportunities (compared to 41% globally). With AI adoption on the rise, 43% of Indian employees consider AI training a crucial skill.
Demand for flexible working hours is higher in India across all generations than the global average. Gen Z (62% vs. 45% globally) seeks flexibility due to digital-first job markets, long commutes, and intense competition. Millennials (66% vs. 39% globally) value it for work-life balance, especially childcare and family responsibilities. Gen X (65% vs. 25% globally) prioritises it to manage strategic roles alongside personal well-being.
Unlike global markets where hybrid work is well-established, India's work culture, infrastructure challenges, and deep-rooted family responsibilities make flexibility essential rather than optional, the survey noted.
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Akeal Hosein bosses powerplay overs with 'skill and mental fortitude'
New Delhi (PTI): For a spinner who bowls majority of his overs in the powerplay, Chennai Super Kings' West Indian import Akeal Hosein relies as much on mental fortitude as his skills to excel in the most unforgiving phase of the game.
With just two fielders in the deep in the first six overs, the margin for error is miniscule and the pressure is sky high.
However, Hosein thrives in that tense environment. The left-arm spinner returned with frugal figures of 3-0-15-1 in the powerplay to play a crucial role in his team's eight-wicket win over Delhi Capitals in an IPL match here on Tuesday.
"You need both of them (skill and mental toughness). Especially when you come upon pitches that aren't conducive to spin and it's just about being disciplined as well," he said.
"Having two fielders out in the power play. It's not a job that you can go searching for wickets or you can be too greedy. It's just about sticking to the plan," he explained.
Hosein got the all-important wicket of an in-form K L Rahul, who was foxed by the West Indian as he stepped out to smash him for an inside out six.
Hosein's inclusion in the playing eleven after not being picked in the initial phase of the tournament has allowed CSK to win more games. On Tuesday, the pitch offered him a bit of help and he ended up dominating the batters.
After the win over DC, Hosein was asked about his recipe for success in the powerplay.
"...it's a bit scripted because you only have two guys out so it's just about being disciplined and trying to do the job for the team. At the end of the day if you don't get wickets and you bowl economically in the power play, that's a damn good job you've done for the team," said Hosein.
He has taken seven wickets in five games at an impressive economy rate of 7.25.
Fully aware that the batter is a mere couple of hits away from putting the pressure back on him, Hosein says practising for high-pressure situations helps him stay in the present.
"I think homework is very important. You want to have that head-start when you come up against whichever batter you're going to face. And like I say it's just about making assessments as quickly as possible.
"You might come up on a pitch that is spinning. You might come up against one that isn't spinning. Thankfully I can spin the ball. So it's just about picking which deliveries will give you the most success on a particular day and against a particular batter," said Hosein.
He got rid of Rahul first ball from the other end, something that was decided by captain Ruturaj Gaikwad. Post powerplay, Noor Ahmad took over the mantle from Hosein and maintained the pressure on DC batters.
"Getting the opportunity to bowl first for me is just about again making that assessment as quickly as possible and then passing on that information to Noor or even to the seamers as well if it was a bit of spin or if it's gripping or whatever the case is.
"So conversations with myself and Noor have been fantastic. Really happy for him that he's getting some success," he added.
