From Zoom Calls to Chai Breaks: The Return of the Office

^The pandemic has forced us to adjust to remote work, blurring the lines between our professional and personal lives. But with vaccinations and the easing of restrictions, the tide seems to be turning, with more and more employees choosing to go back to working from the office.

According to a recent LinkedIn survey, 78% of Indian professionals are back to working from the office by choice. While remote work has its benefits, such as saving time and money on commuting, most workers miss the informal bonding that happens over a cup of chai during breaks.

In this article, we'll delve into the findings of the survey and explore the changing attitudes toward remote work, the impact of remote work on career growth, and the importance of informal conversations in the workplace.

Remote Work & Career Impact

While remote work has been a savior for many employees during the pandemic, it has also raised concerns about its impact on career growth. Interestingly, the LinkedIn survey found that 63% of Indians surveyed feel that remote work has no harmful impact on their careers.

However, for those who work remotely, the survey also highlighted the pressure to overcompensate and prove their commitment to work. With limited face-to-face interactions, there is a fear that employees may lose out on opportunities for career growth.

The survey further revealed that a similar proportion of employees also believe that their chances of career growth could be reduced if they don't go to the office as much. As remote work becomes the new normal, it is essential to find a balance between the benefits of working from home and the opportunities that come with being in the office.

Back to the Office by Choice

As the world continues to navigate the post-pandemic landscape, the concept of work has undergone a paradigm shift. The new normal is a hybrid work model, which offers the best of both worlds - the flexibility of remote work and the social interaction of office work.

Interestingly, a recent LinkedIn survey shows that a majority of Indian professionals (78%) are back to work from the office by choice. This is a clear indication of the importance of social interaction and face-to-face communication in the workplace.

It appears that for many workers, the benefits of working from the office, such as increased productivity and better collaboration, outweigh the potential risks of exposure to the virus. Additionally, 86% of Indians feel positive about working in the office compared to a year ago, indicating that people are beginning to adjust to the new normal.

As organizations adapt to this new reality, it will be interesting to see how they strike a balance between remote work and office work to meet the needs of their employees and maintain a productive work environment.

Thursday is the New Friday

Thursday has become the new Friday for Indian workers. A whopping 79% of Indians have said that they feel like Thursday is the new Friday. This could be because Friday is the least popular day for workers to go to the office. It seems that Indian professionals are not just working to live but also living to work.

But why has Thursday taken over as the new Friday? Perhaps it's because workers want to spend more time with their loved ones. After all, workers spend more time with family and friends on Fridays. They use the day to unwind, relax, and recharge for the weekend.

As a result, Indian professionals are structuring their work weeks differently. They're prioritizing their work on Mondays and Tuesdays, taking a break in the middle of the week, and finishing their tasks by Wednesday or Thursday. This way, they can enjoy their Fridays with their loved ones.

It seems that Indian workers have found a way to balance their professional and personal lives. They're not just clocking in and out of work; they're making time for what truly matters. And who knows, perhaps in the future, we might have to rename Friday to "Family Day."

The Importance of Chai Break Bonding

Remember those good old days of sipping a hot cup of chai while chitchatting with colleagues at the office? Well, it turns out that we are not alone in missing that bonding experience. According to this survey, 72% of Indian employees miss the camaraderie that comes with a chai break in the workplace.

For many workers, social interactions, efficient face-to-face meetings, and building work relationships are some of the top reasons for heading into the office. In fact, informal conversations with colleagues and team leaders can lead to unlocking new career opportunities and increasing recall value.

But the importance of chai break bonding goes beyond just building social connections. The survey found that impromptu exchanges during these breaks can also help boost long-term career growth when done with intention. As many as 15% of Indian employees reported that they are improving their visibility to management by having informal conversations with team leaders while at work.

Conclusion

The pandemic has undoubtedly reshaped the way we work and interact with our colleagues. As the world slowly adjusts to the new normal, it's essential to understand the changing attitudes towards remote work and the significance of in-person interactions.

At The Wellness Tribe, we understand the importance of employee well-being and the impact it has on overall business performance. We offer customized corporate wellness programs that focus on enhancing employee engagement, improving productivity, and fostering a positive work environment. Our programs include physical fitness, nutrition, mental health, and stress management to ensure holistic well-being.

So, if you're a business owner or an HR professional looking to create a positive and healthy workplace culture, contact us today to learn how we can help you achieve your wellness goals.

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The 5 most interesting insights from the 2022 Indeed Report

^Indeed, the world's largest job search website recently released its 2022 Work Wellbeing Insights Report, which surveyed over 1,000 employees to understand their views on work and well-being. Here are the top five findings from the report:

Putting Well-Being Ahead of Career

A majority of workers value their well-being over their careers. The report found that 54% of workers prioritise their well-being over their career advancement, with only 46% putting their careers over their well-being. This indicates a shift in the traditional mindset of placing work over personal health and happiness.

Work-life balance is the top concern for workers. When asked about their top concerns related to work, 61% of workers cited work-life balance as their top concern, followed by job security (50%) and stress levels (49%). This highlights the importance of companies providing flexible work options and support for their employees' mental and physical health.

Burnout Is More Widespread Than Acknowledged.

Burnout is a widespread problem. The report found that 60% of workers have experienced burnout, with over half (51%) saying they have felt burnt out at their current job. Burnout can have serious consequences for both individual employees and companies, so it's important for employers to provide support and resources to prevent and manage burnout.

Indeed Report Job Satisfaction - 3/10 employees believe that low general job satisfaction is the main reason for the growing trend of quiet quitting.

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on work and well-being. Over half (54%) of workers reported that the pandemic has negatively impacted their work and well-being, with common concerns including increased stress and anxiety levels and difficulty balancing work and personal responsibilities.

Greater Demand for Mental Health Services

Access to mental health resources is crucial. The report found that 88% of workers believe that their employer should provide mental health resources and support. This indicates a strong desire among workers for their companies to prioritise their mental health and provide resources to help them manage stress and other mental health concerns.

Office workers are faring better than other professions.

Office workers reported lower rates of toxic work environments compared to manual laborers and service workers (people who interact with customers or clients, including food and retail workers, teachers, and healthcare workers). During the pandemic, office workers also reported more improvements to their work schedules in terms of flexibility and hours, while manual laborers and service workers reported more deterioration.

Positive work environments contribute to well-being.

This finding highlights the importance of creating a positive work culture and investing in employee development and growth. Employers can contribute to the well-being of their employees by creating a supportive and positive work environment that fosters a sense of belonging, purpose, and meaning. This may include providing opportunities for professional development and growth, promoting open communication and collaboration, and recognizing and valuing the contributions of employees.

In addition to creating a positive work culture, employers can also support the well-being of their employees by addressing any factors that may be contributing to stress or negative feelings. This may include addressing workload, providing resources for mental health support, and promoting work-life balance. By prioritizing their employees' well-being, employers can improve their workforce's overall health and happiness and increase productivity and overall business success.

Closing Thoughts

Overall, the findings from Indeed's 2022 Work Wellbeing Insights Report highlight the importance of paying attention to well-being in the workplace. From prioritising work-life balance to providing mental health resources, there are many steps that employers can take to support their employees' well-being and create a healthier and more positive work environment.

Wellness Tribe Team has put together a workplace wellness guide for 2023; you can check it out here etc.

Quiet quitting, great resignation, and moonlighting: Connecting the Dots

We have entered an era where millennials are doing things that make us scratch our heads and wonder what exactly they are trying to accomplish. It started with them abruptly resigning from their jobs, a phenomenon dubbed The Great Resignation. Then, in what is known as quiet quitting or taking it easy at work, they refused to perform beyond their minimum expectations.

A growing number of Millennials are transitioning to gig labor as a way to escape the "ennui" of the 9 to 5 nonsense, which they deem monotonous. According to the most recent labor statistics, Millennials and Gen Z are increasingly working for numerous companies at once, contradicting the stereotype of loyal and dedicated workers.

So what exactly is happening, and is there an underlying connection between great resignation, quiet quitting, and moonlighting?

The Great Resignation

Early in 2021, when people first started quitting their jobs in droves, most experts thought that the "Great Resignation" was a direct result of the pandemic's uncertainty and chaos.

The situation right now is strange. Despite a lifting of Covid restrictions and a subsiding pandemic in many countries, resignation letters are still flooding in. Even though there are widespread predictions of a slowdown, workers are actually quitting their jobs in large numbers. Many who have not left yet plan to do so soon as well.

Nevertheless, even a severe financial catastrophe, which many believe is imminent, may not be enough to prevent the Great Resignation and retain current employees. In the unlikely event that we experience a recession, we will need to wait and see how things unfold. Companies must adjust to accommodate employees and understand their needs through corporate wellness programs as long as employees know what they seek.

Quiet Quitting

The majority of people are back to work, though they are doubtless unhappy to be there. As they have become accustomed to remote work, they are reluctant to quit, so they are happy to embrace the concept of quiet quitting.

Rather than working late, participating in team-building activities, or volunteering for new initiatives, quiet quitting individuals move away from work and avoid the above and beyond. They are stepping away from the hustle and bustle culture.

Psychologists refer to the behavior as 'occupational citizenship behavior.' Quiet quitters keep up with just enough work at work, then leave on time and avoid slack. According to experts, the increase in quiet quitting has correlated with higher job dissatisfaction levels.

Moreover, a sudden shift has occurred in the way we question the job and, most importantly, being at work. As a result, there is also a rapid change in expectations and job satisfaction. Corporate wellness programs can help companies better understand their employees' needs and why they are not satisfied at work by performing some activities with them.

Moonlighting

According to another survey, almost 65% of IT workers say they or someone they know moonlights or looks for part-time work while working from home.

Considering how young the workforce is and how big and developing the industry is, it should be no surprise that this is the case. IT companies with large staff have a difficult time creating a sense of loyalty and ownership.

Young tech workers fully embrace the hustle culture, which often costs more to advance financially than one job does. So while salaries in Bangalore, India's IT hub, are relatively high, living expenses are also high.

Along with increasing their income, many workers aim to advance their skills or pursue their passions. Furthermore, working from home has made it easier to combine a secondary job with a primary job while reaping both benefits.

The bottom line

Employers should not overlook the importance of moderation in behavior, even when great resignation, quiet quitting, and moonlighting have helped employers to understand the paradigm shift in worker demands. Employees who follow these trends will only betray their jobs if they break corporate policy. However, the corporation will not, under any circumstances, tolerate a decline in productivity.

Therefore, both the workers and the employers must increase their communication channels in a situation like this, where a change in all areas is required, so there is a clear understanding. Additionally, employers should pay their employees fairly, appreciate their efforts, and recognize their abilities in order to retain workers.