Business · India Bureau
Management quality, workplace culture trump salary in job decisions
A new survey reveals that poor management and toxic workplace environments are driving employee attrition across India more than compensation concerns. Nearly half of workers cited these factors as primary reasons for seeking new employment.
LSN India ·
Career progression decisions among Indian employees are increasingly shaped by organizational culture and leadership quality rather than salary packages alone, according to a new workforce analysis.
A September 2026 survey of 1,255 employees across multiple sectors found that 47 per cent cited poor management or workplace culture as key reasons for considering a job switch. In contrast, only 30 per cent pointed to compensation falling short of market rates as their primary motivation for seeking alternative employment.
The study, conducted by HR solutions provider Genius HRTech Limited, gathered responses from professionals in information technology, manufacturing, telecom, retail, finance, BFSI, FMCG and engineering sectors during the entire month of September.
The findings suggest significant untapped opportunity for employers to improve retention through non-monetary interventions. The report indicated that 39 per cent of respondents would be considerably more likely to remain with their current organizations if offered enhanced management practices, a healthier workplace culture, or greater work flexibility.
The data underscores a broader shift in employee priorities, particularly among India's younger workforce, where quality of work environment and career development now rival financial compensation as decision-making factors in employment choices.