Work-life imbalance is key reason for attrition

That Indians have only an incoming office time and no departure time is turning out to be more of a myth.

A survey by HR firm Randstad conducted amongst 7,000 professionals, including 850 in Bangalore, shows that 21% would quit and hunt for another job if the current one is leading to work-life imbalance.

Experts say along with salary and career aspirations, individuals want at least some degree of “me time” where they can indulge in their passions, hobbies, and be with family and friends.

A work structure that disallows adequate holidays, vacations, or calls for prolonged work hours is fast becoming unfavourable with employees.

Chairman of Randstad India, Paul Van De Kerkhof, says professionals in India are realising that they need time to achieve their personal goals instead of constantly being submerged under office work.

“In Europe, work-life balance is top-most in the minds of employees. There, companies also realise this and have options like working from home once in five days. Most companies there believe that productivity is not directly linked with the number of hours spent in office. India is still at an early stage in recognising that,” says Kerkhof.

Experts say productivity of employees cannot necessarily improve if they overwork or stay in offices for long hours. “Working 8am-8pm or 10am-10pm does not always fetch great results. In fact research abroad shows that if companies encourage their people to balance their work and life, not only does their productivity go up, but attrition also declines,” says Kerkhof.

Experts say Indians are, however, culturally conditioned to stay in office for long hours and not leave before their bosses. Moreover, many companies also judge employees depending on the hours they spend in offices.

Manager at a firm in Koramangala, Mahesh S, says his colleagues stay in office wiling away time until he gets up and takes his bag. “I have never stopped people from leaving if they are done with their work. But they have this wrong perception that it is not right to leave before me.”

Then there are those employees for whom the office (more than work) defines their life, as right from breakfast to dinner and for friends and a social life they are completely dependent on office.

“This set of people have no friends or acquaintances beyond those in office. Nor do they have hobbies. Hence they like being in office whether or not they are done with their work,” says Mahesh.

However, the sad thing is that because of such people, the rest who want to look beyond office once done with work are also dragged into sitting at the workstation as leaving early can lead to raised eyebrows, says Mehul Kapadia, who works near Hebbal.