Indian employees are happier lot with work-life balance: Study

NEW DELHI: Notwithstanding longer working hours than before, most of the Indian employees are a happier lot as they are able to strike a good balance between their work and personal lives, says a Regus study.

According to the workplace provider Regus' job satisfaction indicator -- Work-Life Balance Index -- the country has scored 139 points in 2012, a 15 per cent rise from 2010.

It said that despite working harder than ever before, people are enjoying their jobs more, and the majority feel that they have enough time to spend at home or on personal pursuits.

"...new work-life balance index brings the encouraging news that workers in India state that their work-life harmony is improving and confirms reports that Indian businesses are addressing the issue.

"After a phase of extremely rapid growth and associated stress, it is not surprising that workers report feeling happier now," Regus Regional Vice President (South Asia) Madhusudan Thakur said.

The survey, conducted among over 600 professionals, said that majority (80 per cent) of respondent enjoy working more and are satisfied with the amount of time they spend at home or on personal pursuits.

The vast majority of employees (84 per cent) surveyed stated that they have achieved more at work than in 2010 confirming the connection between a good work-life balance and productivity.

Moreover, more than half of respondents said organisations have tried to shorten employee commute times.

The study said that a good work-life balance is essential for staff to live a healthy and happy life and necessary for business growth and organisations are also adopting various ways to address the issue.

"... businesses have become increasingly results-oriented during the global downturn and are everywhere seen to be opting for less traditional working practices and instead choosing to increase efficiency by giving workers more flexibility," Thakur said.

"One such measure that is becoming increasingly popular is helping workers to reduce tiring and unproductive commute time through the introduction of more flexible working practices," he added.