India ranked highest in workplace satisfaction as compared to Asia Pacific compeers: JLL HPI Index

The JLL Human Performance Indicator (HPI) finds that high performance lies in the perfect mix of flexible work and outstanding offices

JLL today released the Human Performance Indicator (HPI), a new formula that gives a comprehensive view of how different aspects of the workplace such as spaces, technology and culture combine to elevate human performance.

The Asia Pacific HPI results, based on a study of 1,500 employees in five countries across the region, found that ‘High Performers’ – meaning those that have access to high impact work environment thrive in a hybrid work model enabled by a wide range of sophisticated spaces, technology tools and work practices.

India is leading with 81% of high performers practicing flexible working including flexible hours and work-from-home, in comparison to other APAC countries, according to the HPI Index launched by JLL. Being comfortable with flex work gave High Performers a head start when the world went into lockdown, with 95% of them saying they were tech ready to work remotely.

“Accelerated by the pandemic, organisations worldwide are experiencing a profound workplace transformation. This evolutionary change in the notion of work and how people work is giving rise to a ‘worker centric world’. From an organisation’s perspective, to create the future of work, its people, business, workplace and corporate real estate strategies will need to come together seamlessly. Hence organisations will have to deliver a memorable workplace experience for employees and enable hybrid work in the long term. Another accelerator for employee productivity would be the deployment of technology to improve the health, safety and well-being of employees. Those who are courageous and proactive in adapting to this transformation will be the future leaders of business in a post-pandemic world,” adds Sandeep Sethi, Managing Director, Corporate Solutions – West Asia, JLL

Compared to the other APAC countries surveyed, India ranked highest in workplace satisfaction, with a percentage of 98 per cent and is followed by China (97%). The survey showcases that key factors impacting workplace satisfaction in high performers are access to a wider range of sophisticated workplaces and technologies and a strong change management program designed to motivate employees to make optimum use of the spaces and technologies available will be the key to boost Human Performance. The correlation is clear – the more varied and innovative the spaces and technologies provided, the higher the workplace satisfaction of employees.

High performers in India are better equipped with access to a wider range of sophisticated workplaces and technologies, playing a key role in driving human performance.

Seven in 10 High Performers practice flexible work, including flexible hours and work-from-home, in comparison to only 34% of Low Performers. Low performers are those who felt that they did not have access to a work environment with collaborative spaces, sophisticated technology or an inclusive culture.

Technology workers (53%) and young professionals aged 25 to 34 (37%) make up the majority of High Performers. As much as High Performers were champions of flexible work, they felt that the office was a critical factor to performance. At least eight in 10 (84%) of them said they missed the office during lockdown as it allowed them access to a range of spaces and technologies for productivity and collaboration.

Surveyed employees provided scores on the availability and impact of their workspaces, technology tools and cultural aspects. Using the scores, a final HPI was calculated. The HPI score can vary between 0-100 and helps identify working environment and conditions that improve the performance of employees.

The research found that only one-third of Asia Pacific workplaces have an environment that elevates employee performance. One way to improve performance is by increasing access to a wider range of sophisticated workplaces and technologies – the HPI found that the more varied and innovative the spaces and technologies provided, the higher the workplace satisfaction of employees.

Acting and thriving as a social hub will be key to the success of the office in the future: 96% of High Performers highlighted that they have access to spaces that promote informal interactions among colleagues such as outdoor terraces, game rooms and on-site coffee shops and baristas. Working remotely can feel very isolating and technology has not been able to fully compensate for the lack of personal contact. This need for a cohesive community is where the physical office can make all the difference. Availability of social spaces creates stronger social bonds among colleagues, which positively influence their collective performance.

Other key insights on High Performers in Asia Pacific include:

• 95% of High Performers said they were tech ready to work remotely when the world went into lockdown thanks to flexible work made available to them
• 98% of High Performers agreed that their leadership enabled them to achieve their full potential professionally
• At least seven in 10 (70%) of High Performers have found a confidential space to have a difficult conversation and 61% have a mentor at work

The HPI Asia Pacific results are based on an online study covering Australia, China, India, Japan and Singapore. Please download the ‘Decoding Human Performance’ report here.