By Faizan Haidar
Copyright indiatimes
ReutersRepresentative Image
Indian workers spend an average of 52% of their weekly hours in office, 10% less than the global average, according to Unispace, a global firm that designs and delivers office spaces across the world.As per the global survey of 5,231 full-time employees across 14 markets, including India, the US, Singapore, Germany and Australia, Indians are also least likely to work at a dedicated desk (27%) compared to their global peers, instead favouring meeting rooms, collaboration zones and social hubs.“Indian employees are near-unanimous in expecting to need an office in 2030. India is resetting the workplace around performance, not perks. Employees are asking for better-fitted spaces, rock-solid tech and frictionless focus,” said Abi Roni Mattom, country director of Unispace India.As per the survey, India is the most bullish market on the office’s future as 98% of Indian employees expect offices to remain relevant in 2030 vs. 93% globally.Almost 75% of office workers worldwide say workplace noise, frequent distractions, or lack of quiet spaces are the biggest barriers to doing their best work.Live EventsHowever, employees in India point to a different set of pain points—highlighting lack of supportive physical spaces, reliable tech and focus zones as bigger concerns than noise.The top three reasons Indians go to the office are access to tools and technology, learning and mentoring opportunities, and socialising. Globally, collaboration emerges as the primary reason for returning to the workplace.”The data underscores that the future of Indian workplaces will be less about rows of desks and more about spaces for training, mentoring and social connection. Employers who get this right will not only attract top talent but also future-proof their workplace strategies,” said Swatasiddha Majumdar, principal of strategy at Unispace India.The report suggests that average office attendance dropped from 3.7 days per week in 2024 to 2.9 in 2025, and employees expect this to fall further to 2.6 days by 2030.Globally, more than a quarter of full-time employees are now required to be in the office five days a week. The US leads with 37% of businesses mandating full in-office work, driven by a shift from failed hybrid policies to stricter rules.Asia, including India, shows the highest proportion of fixed hybrid policies (25%) and the second-highest for full in-office mandates (29%).Europe continues to lead in hybrid flexibility (65%), with nearly a quarter (23%) of European employees able to choose which days they go in—the highest globally.Better hospitality, personalised control over environmental factors like lighting, temperature and noise, and access to wellness programmes are now considered essentials, not perks.As per the survey, 39% of global respondents cited temperature as a key issue and more than a third (35%) want greater control over their work environment. Additionally, 35% of employees said their workplace does not help attract or retain talent, underscoring the need for change.Add as a Reliable and Trusted News Source Add Now!
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