For Indian Firms, Flexible Work May Not Be Sustainable

Research from CII-FMS find that 68% of Indian companies still offer hybrid or remote work options. 

By Maggie Mancini

Though remote work offers advantages to employees such as reduced commuting time, cost savings, and improved work-life balance, flexible working arrangements raise long-term viability concerns, according to research from the Confederation of Indian Industry and Faculty of Management Studies at the University of Delhi (CII-FMS).  

The report explains that remote work was uncommon in India prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, with less than one in three companies offering the option. Pandemic restrictions made almost all companies adopt remote work policies.  

The survey of 115 companies in a variety of industries—including technology, IT, pharmaceuticals, manufacturing, and consulting—finds that respondents agree that remote work has provided savings of more than 25% in office rentals, cost reductions on meetings and client interactions, and internal meetings between employees. Respondents also agree that remote work has reduced commuting stress for employees.  

At the same time, respondents agree that the lack of dedicated workspaces, issues with work-life balance, and reduced communication effectiveness have impacted the long-term success and viability of remote work on India’s workforce.  

Today, more than two-thirds (68%) of Indian companies continue to offer remote work options, citing the benefits as outweighing the drawbacks. Of them, only 5% permit fully remote work, with most expecting employees to be in the office two or three days per week.