India is leading the global return-to-office trend, with 83% of employees expressing positive sentiment toward back-to-office mandates, according to the JLL Workplace Preference Barometer 2025.
The study found that 82% of employees in India are now required to work a fixed number of days from the office. The highest adoption rates were reported in the technology, banking and financial services, and education sectors. Notably, 83% of employees rated their current workplace environment as “close to ideal,” compared with an Asia-Pacific average of 64%.
JipuJose James, Managing Director, Project & Development Services (PDS), JLL India, said the findings indicate that Indian organizations are entering a new phase of hybrid work maturity. “Workplaces now need to focus on human-centered design and flexible structures that balance productivity and well-being,” he noted.
The report highlights that 60% of Indian employees consider flexibility the most important factor when choosing an employer, surpassing the regional average of 54%. However, challenges persist — particularly around employee well-being. Over half (54%) of respondents reported moderate to high levels of burnout, underscoring growing concerns about workload and work-life balance.
JLL recommends that organizations focus on three key areas to sustain productivity and engagement: improving workplace experience, enabling flexible scheduling beyond traditional hybrid models, and addressing burnout through better well-being support.
Kamya Miglani, Head of Work Dynamics Research, Asia Pacific, JLL, said companies need to go beyond attendance mandates. “Employers should focus on creating workplaces that employees want to be part of—by improving quality of life, addressing burnout, and offering genuine flexibility,” she said.
The report concludes that India’s combination of employee optimism, flexible work policies, and demographic advantage positions the country strongly in shaping the future of work across the Asia-Pacific region.
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