85% of Indian Professionals Rely on Cross-Age Collaboration to Boost Productivity: Randstad Workmonitor 2026

AI adoption rises, while flexibility, autonomy and workplace trust reshape India’s workforce

Bengaluru: India’s workforce is entering a new phase of transformation marked by growing adoption of artificial intelligence, rising expectations around flexibility, and a strong emphasis on collaboration across generations, according to the Randstad Workmonitor 2026 India report.

The report finds that 85% of professionals in India rely on colleagues from different age groups to broaden their perspectives and enhance performance, highlighting the growing importance of multigenerational collaboration in the workplace.

Workplace relationships and trust remain central to productivity. Around 87% of Indian professionals report strong relationships with their managers, while 89% say they trust their organization’s leadership, both significantly higher than global averages.

The study also shows that 87% of professionals in India feel more productive when they incorporate diverse viewpoints into their workflows, underscoring the value of collaborative and inclusive work environments.

At the same time, financial pressures are influencing career decisions. About 58% of professionals have taken on or are considering a second job to manage rising living costs, compared with the global average of 40%.

Artificial intelligence is emerging as a key productivity driver. The report shows 89% of Indian professionals believe AI improves productivity, while 60% of employers share the same view, reflecting growing confidence in technology-enabled work models.

Despite technological changes, workplace flexibility remains a major expectation among professionals. Nearly 58% of Indian talent say they would not accept a job without flexibility in work location and working hours, while 57% remain in their current roles primarily due to work-life balance, compared with just 15% who stay for pay alone.

Career expectations are also evolving. While 67% of professionals prefer a traditional linear career path, 55% say they want a portfolio career, moving across sectors and roles during their professional journey.

Viswanath PS said the findings indicate that India’s workforce is redefining productivity by combining technological adoption with strong human relationships. He noted that while AI and digital tools are increasingly important, professional relationships, trust and multigenerational collaboration remain the key drivers of performance in organizations.

Employers are also adapting to changing workplace dynamics. Around 85% of employers believe hybrid and remote work models have made collaboration more challenging, highlighting the need for new strategies to strengthen engagement and teamwork.

The report also reveals strong digital readiness among professionals, with 86% of Indian talent expressing confidence in using the latest technologies, while 55% of employers expect AI to impact between 50% and 100% of daily workplace tasks.

About Randstad India

Randstad India is a talent solutions company providing services across operational, professional, digital and enterprise talent segments. The company supports organizations in building diverse and agile workforces and helps professionals develop skills needed for the evolving world of work.

About Randstad

Headquartered in the Netherlands, Randstad operates in 39 markets and employs around 38,000 people globally. The company supported nearly 150,000 clients and over 1.7 million professionals in 2025, generating revenues of €23.1 billion.