66% of Indian employees willing to take a pay cut for better work culture, Great Place To Work study finds
Great Place To Work India has released its latest Voice of India study on ‘Job-Switching Trends’, offering fresh insight into how Indian employees are thinking about career moves in 2026. Based on extensive survey data collected nationwide, the study sheds light on shifting expectations around workplace culture, leadership, flexibility, and long-term engagement.
According to the findings, 62% employees working in typical workplaces are actively looking for new roles. Among those already considering a move, 70% expect to leave their current organisation within the next year, reflecting a decisive approach to career transitions.
“Findings from our study show that workplace culture can directly influence retention, leadership trust, and employees’ readiness to exchange compensation for better workplace experiences. We found that 66% of employees contemplating leaving are willing to accept a pay cut in exchange for improved workplace conditions and greater flexibility. Moreover, 6 in 10 employees who don’t have a great workplace experience plan to leave, but that number drops to half when they experience a positive workplace environment. Therefore, investing in culture and leadership capability is critical to business resilience and long-term performance.” – Balbir Singh, CEO, Great Place To Work
The study also identifies specific workforce segments where the intention to switch jobs is particularly pronounced. In the healthcare, biotech, and pharmaceutical sectors, 81% of employees considering leaving expect to move within 12 months. Among younger professionals, the trend is equally strong, with 76% of Generation Z and 68% of millennials planning a job change within the year. Notably, 73% of supervisors and frontline managers who are contemplating a switch also expect to exit their roles in the near term. In fact, 87% of employees thinking about leaving cited workplace culture as a key factor when evaluating potential employers.
Satisfaction levels further highlight the areas organisations need to address. Employees preparing to leave reported 20% to 27% lower satisfaction compared to those intending to stay, particularly around fair pay, work-life balance, recognition, and management communication. The study also found that intent to leave drops by 16% when employees express strong confidence in leadership judgment, and by 12% when they experience meaningful opportunities for innovation at work.
Early attrition remains a concern in typical workplaces, with turnover rates within the first two years of employment significantly higher than in Great Place To Work Certified companies. The data also reveals a gender gap, with 21% more women reporting intent to leave in typical workplaces compared to Certified organizations.
Taken together, the findings underline the urgent need for organisations to invest in culture, leadership capability, and employee experience. As the Indian workforce becomes more discerning, companies that prioritise trust, inclusion, and meaningful engagement are better positioned to retain talent and build resilience in an increasingly competitive employment landscape.
