Meaningful Work Matters: Not Just A Great Boss, Here's What Makes Indian Employees Happy

Indeed, the global matching and hiring platform recently revealed insights into workplace happiness among Indian employees in 2023. The survey sheds light on what makes employees happy at work and how different factors impact their satisfaction.

The survey underscores that 58% of employees believe their work significantly contributes to their overall happiness. Moreover, an overwhelming 95% feel that managers hold the primary responsibility for ensuring employee happiness, emphasising the importance of leadership in fostering a positive work environment.

According to the findings, a significant 70% of employees reported feeling happy and content at work, while 30% expressed some level of dissatisfaction. The nature of work and certain factors play a vital role in shaping this happiness.

Rohan Sylvester, talent strategy advisor, Indeed India, said, “Our data shows that 88% of organisations prioritising employee happiness witness increased satisfaction among their teams. This satisfaction ultimately drives better job performance and engagement, leading to sustained business success.”

The report delves deeper into how tenure, sector, and organisational size affect employee happiness:

• Employees with 15+ years of experience (74%) and those with 0-2 years (54%) reported higher levels of unhappiness. Long-term employees may feel stagnant, while newcomers might struggle to fit in.
• Sectors like FMCG (81%), IT/ITeS (81%), Consumer Durables (80%), and Retail (78%) have higher levels of happy employees compared to sectors like Automobile (59%), Logistics (58%), and Construction & Real Estate (58%), possibly due to stability and growth opportunities.
• Happiness levels are higher in both small (73%) and large (79%) organisations, while medium-sized ones (61%) struggle relatively more to maintain employee happiness.

For organisations aiming to enhance employee happiness:

• Salary/Benefits (23%) remain the primary contributor, followed by a positive Work Culture and Interactions (19%).
• Beyond tangible factors, employees value the company’s ideology and strategies (16%), its vision for growth (12%), and its reputation (11%) in contributing to their happiness.
• Work Flexibility (11%) significantly impacts employee happiness.

What exactly leads to this happiness? Employees highlighted several key factors:

• Supportive Managers (21%): Guidance and encouragement from managers are crucial.
• Meaningful Work (19%): Finding purpose in daily tasks adds to job satisfaction.
• Using Skills (15%): Applying expertise brings fulfilment.
• Facing Challenges (13%): Overcoming obstacles contributes to a sense of achievement.
• Being Creative (10%): Having the opportunity to express creativity is valued.
• Working with a Good Team (8%): Supportive colleagues enhance the work experience.
• Recognition for Work (8%): Appreciation motivates employees.
• Learning Opportunities (6%): Continuous learning is appreciated.

Methodology:

This survey was conducted by Valuvox on behalf of Indeed among 1,219 employers and 2,537 employees. The employee survey respondents were segregated into sector, employment type, work mode, organisation size, and work tenure. The employer survey respondents were categorised into sector and organisation size.