Artificial Intelligence (AI) has become the most significant factor shaping workplace behaviour in India, overtaking traditional drivers such as pay and burnout, according to Indeed’s 2025 Workplace Trends Report. The study, based on responses from 3,872 individuals across 14 industries, highlights how technology and shifting career values are influencing both employee expectations and organisational practices.
The report finds that 71 per cent of workers now use AI to validate ideas, solve problems, or plan career moves. For many, AI has become a routine part of work, comparable to consulting a colleague or manager. Despite its widespread use, AI is primarily seen as a productivity tool rather than a creative partner, with only 22 per cent using it to address unfamiliar challenges and 43 per cent believing it can match the performance of a mid-level engineer.
New workplace behaviours are also emerging. Employees are increasingly engaging in “skill nomadism,” moving between roles and acquiring new skills to remain employable. Short, planned career breaks, termed “micro-retirements,” are being used to recharge or pursue side projects. Flexible routines such as “bare-minimum Mondays” and moonlighting are becoming more common as workers seek to balance income and wellbeing.
The report identifies a disconnect between employer and employee perceptions of these behaviours. While 42 per cent of employers interpret actions like job hopping, brief office appearances, and quiet quitting as signs of disengagement, 62 per cent of employees view them as practical strategies for career management. Younger workers are particularly experimental, with 68 per cent of entry- to junior-level employees trying new approaches to learning and career planning. Overall, 75 per cent of employees report adopting at least one of these behaviours.
Key drivers of this shift include the desire for flexibility and autonomy (43 per cent), stress and burnout (37 per cent), and concerns about job security (30 per cent). Personal factors such as redundancy (37 per cent), family responsibilities (22 per cent), and feeling stuck in a role (20 per cent) also contribute.
Employers are beginning to feel the impact. One in five reports a rise in attrition of more than 20 per cent over the past year, with some attributing this to the changing work behaviours. The report suggests that organisations may need to revise their talent strategies, training programmes, and career development frameworks to align with evolving employee expectations.
The survey was conducted by Valuvox in August 2025 and included 1,288 employers and 2,584 employees or job seekers. The findings aim to provide a snapshot of workforce dynamics and behavioural trends across India’s employment landscape. If you’d like, I can extract sector-specific insights from the report to help compare how different industries are responding.