As workplaces worldwide begin to promote the resumption of in-office arrangements, Indian employees display a lack of enthusiasm for reverting to the conventional five-day office schedule prevalent prior to the pandemic. A recent survey conducted by job platform Indeed indicates that a significant 71 percent of Indian professionals prioritize flexibility when evaluating job opportunities.

Collating insights from more than 1,200 job seekers in India, the survey discovered that flexibility, as defined by the "capability to work remotely, establish personal hours, and take breaks as required," is a paramount concern, according to CNBC's report.

The appreciation for flexibility among professionals is on the rise, driven by the observation of enhanced productivity and an improved work-life balance resulting from the ability to determine their work location and schedule.

The survey conducted by Indeed unveiled that 70 percent of individuals currently employed actively sought job prospects that offered a blend of remote or hybrid work arrangements.

Nevertheless, this position diverges from the approach adopted by numerous multinational corporations that are advocating for a return to physical office spaces for their employees.

This disparity in preferences might lead to a potential increase in attrition rates within companies, particularly in cases like TCS, where a significant number of resignations followed the announcement of the office return, with a notable impact on female employees.

"Employers' perspectives on remote work continue to diverge from the inclinations of job seekers in India," stated Sashi Kumar, Head of Sales at Indeed India, in an interview with CNBC.

"While the latter group displays a strong interest in remote work opportunities, employers are notably less inclined to feature 'work from home' prominently in the job advertisements they publish."

The survey also unveiled that a significant 63 percent of employees express a preference for a hybrid work setup, which allows them to work from home on specific days and from the office on others. In contrast, only 51 percent of the 561 surveyed employers confirmed that they currently provide this hybrid work arrangement option.