Seventy five per cent of office workers worldwide say workplace noise, frequent distractions, or lack of quiet spaces are the biggest barriers to doing their best work, according to the Unispace Global Workplace Insights 2025-2026 report titled ‘A Moment of Clarity’. However, employees in India point to a different set of pain points — highlighting lack of supportive physical spaces, reliable tech, and focus zones as bigger concerns than noise.
In a strong vote of confidence for physical workplaces, 98 per cent of Indian employees say they see a need for an office by 2030, compared to 93 per cent globally. These insights are based on a survey of 5,231 full-time employees across 14 markets, including India, the United States, Singapore, Germany, and Australia.
According to the report, Indian workers spend an average of 52 per cent of their weekly hours in the office — 10 per cent less than the global average. They are also least likely to work at a dedicated desk (27 per cent) compared to their global peers, instead favoring meeting rooms, collaboration zones, and social hubs.
The top three reasons Indians go to the office are access to tools and technology, learning and mentoring opportunities, and socialising. Globally, collaboration emerges as the primary reason for returning to the workplace.
Published on September 29, 2025