Indian employers are standing at a critical juncture. The findings from the 2025 Randstad Employer Brand Research (REBR) tell a story of a workforce in transition — one that is redefining what it values in both work and the workplace. With more than 3,500 respondents in India contributing to a study that spans 34 countries, the research provides compelling evidence of shifting priorities, rapidly rising technological adoption, and new challenges for organizations seeking to attract and retain top talent.
What Do Indian Employees Want Most?
At the heart of India’s talent transformation is a decisive move away from purely transactional employment relationships. Today, Indian workers aspire to join organizations that embody purpose, provide balance, and support holistic well-being. The top Employee Value Proposition (EVP) drivers in 2025 — as reflected in responses from across generations and specializations — are:
- Equity (fairness and inclusion)
- Attractive salary and benefits
While work-life balance remains the number one priority, especially for Gen X and operational talent, equity has surged as the top concern for Gen Z and millennials, highlighting a generational call for fairness, diversity, and inclusion in the workplace. Millennials rate their employers more positively than Gen Z and Gen X across many drivers, underlining potentially higher satisfaction levels or stronger alignment with workplace values among this age group.
Flat Hierarchy of Needs: No Single Driver Dominates
One of the most striking trends in the report is the flattening of the hierarchy of employee needs. The gap between the top five drivers has narrowed, signaling that there is no single, dominant “ideal employer” profile. Instead, talent now evaluates employers through a broad lens — considering reputation, financial health, management strength, and opportunities for growth nearly equally with work-life balance and compensation.
Job Switching at an All-Time High
India’s workforce has never been more mobile. Nearly 47% of employees say they plan to switch jobs within the first half of 2025—a marked increase and part of a rising trend over recent years. Actual job switches rose by 2% and the intention to move grew by 4% compared to the previous year.
Gen Z shows the highest inclination, with 51% intending to switch jobs, followed closely by millennials (50%). These movements are largely driven by the search for better work-life balance and career growth opportunities — with insufficient flexibility and lack of employer advantages gaining importance among reasons for job change. Interestingly, operational and professional workers report similar tendencies to switch, suggesting external forces are often more influential than job-specific factors1.
The Enduring Importance of Equity and Inclusion
Equity isn’t just a buzzword for the Indian workforce — it’s a top priority, especially for younger generations. Approximately 49% of Indian workers identify as belonging to a minority group, with religion and gender identity the most commonly cited reasons among Gen Z and millennials. While perceptions of employer performance on equity are generally positive, there remain persistent barriers for minority employees, especially in career progression.
Yet, optimism persists. Millennials, in particular, feel that their unique backgrounds and identities are valued in the workplace, and they consistently rate their employers higher on equity-related measures. Both operational and professional talent value fairness, inclusion, and respect, indicating that an organization-wide commitment to equity can yield dividends in terms of morale, retention, and brand strength.
AI Adoption: India at the Forefront
The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into the Indian workplace has accelerated rapidly. In 2025:
- 61% of employees report using AI regularly (up from 53% the previous year).
- 85% have tried AI at least once.
- Millennials lead with a 13% increase in regular AI usage year-on-year.
The impact of AI is being felt acutely: 38% of employees feel AI is significantly affecting their roles — even as concerns about job displacement are rising. However, optimism around AI is growing, especially as companies and employees alike realize its value in improving productivity, efficiency, and decision-making. Both operational and professional roles are engaging with AI at similar rates, underlining the technology’s pervasive reach across job types.
Motivation and Engagement Remain High, But Linked to Actionable Drivers
Indian employees display extraordinary engagement: 86% report high motivation, with almost four in five claiming to feel more motivated than a year ago. Critically, 67% of disengaged employees consider switching jobs, compared with only 44% of their engaged counterparts.
The primary motivators? For Gen Z and millennials, opportunities for growth top the list, while work-life balance comes first for Gen X. Both operational and professional talent cite growth and work-life balance as key, though the weighting varies: professionals lean more toward growth, operational staff toward balance.
The Future of Talent: Actionable Takeaways for Employers
The findings of the 2025 REBR make it clear: Indian talent expects more from employers. What actions should organizations prioritize?
- Balance functional and emotional needs: Deliver on compensation and benefits, but match these with flexible, inclusive, and purpose-driven cultures.
- Double down on equity: Build fair processes for career progression, reskilling, and pay for all, especially minorities and women.
- Invest in learning and AI upskilling: With 90% of workers considering reskilling important, continuous development is both a key EVP driver and a retention tool.
- Support job mobility: Recognize that job changing is the new normal and build strong onboarding, engagement, and alumni networks.
- Listen to employees: Develop tailored engagement strategies that reflect the varying motivators of each generation and specialization.
Indian workplaces are forging a future defined not simply by what work gets done, but also by why and how it is done. Purpose, equity, learning, and belonging have taken center stage. The companies that lead on these fronts — not just transactional perks — will be the true talent magnets of tomorrow.
