A significant shift is underway in the Indian job market, with a majority of employees actively considering a change of employer. According to a major new study, nearly two-thirds of the workforce is poised for a move, and workplace culture has emerged as the dominant factor driving this restlessness.
The Great Reshuffle: Intent to Leave Hits Record Highs
The "Voice of India" study on job-switching trends, released by the global consultancy Great Place To Work in December 2025, paints a picture of a highly mobile workforce. The data, based on a nationwide survey, indicates a high risk of attrition for companies in the coming year.
At an overall level, 38% of employees across all workplaces admit they are actively seeking a new job. An additional 27% are sitting on the fence, undecided about their next move. This means a staggering 65% of the Indian workforce is either ready to jump ship or is open to the possibility.
The intent is even more pronounced in what the study terms "typical workplaces." Here, 62% of employees are actively looking for a new role. Among those who have already made up their minds to leave, the timeline is aggressive: 70% expect to exit their current company within the next 12 months.
Who is Most Likely to Leave? Sector and Demographic Insights
The study reveals that the urge to switch jobs is not uniform. Certain sectors and employee groups are exhibiting far greater urgency than others.
The healthcare, biotech, and pharmaceutical sector leads the charge, where a remarkable 81% of employees contemplating a change plan to do so within a year. Younger generations are also driving this trend. Among Generation Z workers, 76% planning a switch aim to move within 12 months, followed by 68% of millennials.
Leadership roles are not immune. 73% of supervisors and frontline managers who are considering a move also expect to leave their current positions within the same one-year window. This data underscores that job mobility is no longer a slow, cautious process but a rapid, time-bound decision for a vast section of the employed population.
Culture Over Cash: The New Priority for Indian Professionals
Perhaps the most striking finding of the report is the changing calculus of what employees value. The traditional primary driver—salary—is being overtaken by the quality of the work environment.
For 66% of employees planning to leave, pay is no longer the ultimate deterrent. They expressed a willingness to accept a lower salary if it meant gaining a better workplace culture and greater flexibility. This sentiment cuts across age groups, signaling a fundamental shift in how job opportunities are evaluated.
The central pillar of this new evaluation is workplace culture. An overwhelming 87% of those thinking about leaving stated that culture is a key factor when assessing a potential new employer. The data shows a direct correlation: employees who do not experience a positive environment are twice as likely to plan an exit compared to those who do.
Satisfaction metrics further explain the divide. Employees preparing to leave reported 20% to 27% lower satisfaction on critical aspects like fair pay, work-life balance, recognition, and management communication compared to those who intend to stay. Trust in leadership also plays a crucial role; strong confidence in leadership judgment reduces intent to leave by 16%.
The study also highlights a worrying trend of early attrition and a gender gap. Turnover within the first two years is significantly higher in typical workplaces. Furthermore, 21% more women in typical workplaces report an intent to leave compared to women in Great Place To Work–Certified organisations.
The message for Indian employers is clear: as 2026 approaches, retaining talent will depend less on monetary incentives alone and more on fostering a trustworthy, flexible, and positive workplace culture.
