Seventy-five percent of office workers worldwide identify workplace noise, frequent distractions, and a lack of quiet spaces as significant barriers to optimal productivity, according to the Unispace Global Workplace Insights 2025-2026 report titled “A Moment of Clarity.” In contrast, Indian employees highlight other concerns, with a focus on inadequate supportive physical environments, unreliable technology, and insufficient focus zones, ranking these as more pressing issues than noise.
A strong affirmation for physical workplaces is reflected in the survey, where 98 percent of Indian employees express a need for an office by 2030, compared to 93 percent globally. The data is drawn from a survey of 5,231 full-time employees across 14 markets, including India, the United States, Singapore, Germany, and Australia.
The report indicates that Indian workers dedicate an average of 52 percent of their weekly hours to office work, which is 10 percent lower than the global average. Notably, only 27 percent of Indian employees have a dedicated desk compared to their international counterparts, opting instead for meeting rooms, collaboration areas, and social hubs.
The primary motivations for Indian employees to visit the office are access to tools and technology, opportunities for learning and mentoring, and social interactions. In comparison, collaboration is highlighted as the main reason for returning to the workplace on a global scale.
Published on September 29, 2025.
