Indian Workers Willing To Develop New Skills With More Time

Asking a simple question, “What would you do with more time?” the Workforce Institute at Kronos Incorporated has released a global survey examining how 3,000 employees across eight nations view their relationship with work and life. 

With more time, the top five things people worldwide wish they could spend time with family (44 percent); travel (43 percent); exercise (33 percent); spend time with friends (30 percent), and pursue their hobbies (29 percent). Rest and relaxation were the other big themes that featured, as 27 percent of people said they would want to get more sleep and nearly one-quarter (22 percent) would focus on mental health. More sleep is a universal desire regardless of age – from Gen Z (27 percent) to Baby Boomers (26 percent). 

While all nations rate spending time with family and travel as their top two desires, the remaining top five “more time” wish lists vary by country. India workers wish they had time to learn a new skill or hobby; would spend more time watching TV, movies, or listening to music. On the bright side, 62 percent of all workers agree that their job offers enough flexibility to have a healthy work-life balance, while only 14 percent either disagree or strongly disagree.

Regardless of age, role, level, or country, all employees wish they could spend more time developing new skills, as it was the top-rated answer for both individual contributors (44 percent) and people managers (40 percent) alike – with exactly half of Gen Z respondents and 47 percent of millennials craving more time to develop skills.  A whopping 66 percent of employees in India wish they had time to develop new skills. 

People managers specifically would spend more time with people, as four of their top six answers include developing or training employees; building relationships with their team; coaching or mentoring others; and helping customers. 

James Thomas, Country Manager, India, Kronos Incorporated said, “It’s not surprising to see that the survey reflects an aspiring young India seeking more opportunities to acquire a new skill, unlearn or relearn if they find spare time or added time as a key get away. It’s rather intriguing to see that they might put off a family vacation and instead put in those extra hours to acquire a new skill or a certification. While family vacations are important, this might reflect the anxiety of workforces in India to skill themselves to today’s job specs better and also might be hinting at Indian employers seeking to acquire better-qualified workers with right skills to the right jobs as traditional jobs are being replaced by 4IR jobs.” 

Rajguru Tandon

BW Reporters The author is a correspondent with BW Businessworld with keen interest in HR and employee welfare.