It is important to understand that the country faces potential job losses due to automation and AI, particularly in sectors that require fewer skills, says Shantanu Rooj, Founder and CEO of TeamLease Edtech. The large informal sector would be the worst hit as there is a significant skills gap in this segment, he says, and the sector is vulnerable to displacement.
However, there are multiple green shoots: emerging industries, startups and the gig economy offer new jobs; government initiatives such as Skill India and Digital India aim to improve skills and infrastructure; remote work expands global opportunities; and India’s young population provides an unmatched demographic dividend.
“To navigate these changes and make the most of these emerging opportunities, India should focus on education, entrepreneurship, investment in technology and social security infrastructure,” Rooj said.
Where is reality for us?
These measures are also necessary because many traditional roles are likely to be transformed or displaced, which will dilute the need for fixed office hours.
As automation takes over routine tasks, there will be a critical need for the workforce to reskill and upskill so that employees can take on new high-value roles that may not adhere to traditional work schedules, says Arunima KV, Assistant Professor, Human Resources, Organisational Behaviour and Communications, TAPMI Manipal (TA Pai Management Institute). “The rise of automation is accompanied by a shift in workforce demographics, with millennials and Gen Z prioritising work-life balance and personal development over conventional job security. This makes the traditional 9-to-5 model less attractive,” she explains.
There are more reasons why flexible work arrangements are viewed favorably. Research has shown that the benefits of flexible work arrangements for millennials include better work-life balance, lower organizational costs, and a more engaging work environment, says Debolina Dutta, professor of midwifery and human resource management at the Indian Institute of Management Bangalore (IIMB). However, compressed work schedules can have an impact on job performance. “Flexible time has been found to improve productivity, particularly when limited physical resources are shared among employees. However, overuse can undermine work goals and lead to more time and resources being spent on self-organization and communication,” says Dutta.
The expected changes in all sectors and roles
Rooj of TeamLease Edtech says manufacturing, retail and customer service are some of the sectors where some jobs are likely to disappear, but he also believes healthcare, logistics, entertainment and media, among others, will generate demand for new job profiles.
Arjun Ranga, CEO of Cycle Pure Agarbathi, says traditional 9-to-5 jobs are likely to disappear first in IT, insurance, finance and e-commerce as flexible work arrangements become more widespread. But manufacturing, healthcare and education sectors will continue to rely on formal employment structures, at least for now. Jobs that require soft skills such as creativity, empathy and problem-solving will be more valuable.
Eastern Time Online“To compete with the global market, sectors like banking, insurance and education in India will have to extend their working hours beyond 5:30 pm. This will create job opportunities and increase customer satisfaction,” says Ranga.
Why formal job creation remains the key need in our country
To create a resilient workforce amidst job disruptions, formalizing the economy is vital. Rooj notes that this will ensure social security benefits such as pensions, healthcare and unemployment insurance, along with legal protections such as labour rights and contractual stability. Formal jobs also promote skills development and continuous learning, essential for adapting to changing job requirements.
Arunima also stresses the importance of formal job creation for economic and social development. These jobs provide stability and security to individuals and families, contributing to economic stability. Public sector organisations also offer similar benefits, providing stability to a large workforce.
Formal employment also contributes significantly to government tax revenues through income taxes and social security contributions.
As for a shorter workweek, studies have shown that it also has some unintended benefits.
Dutta cites a French reform that reduced the standard workweek from 39 to 35 hours and claims it reduced smoking by six percentage points. The reform also reduced body mass index (BMI) and improved self-reported health. Overall, the study suggests that policies that reduce working time could potentially yield significant health benefits.
However, the IIM-B professor adds that the debate surrounding these benefits is still open as researchers have found contradictory results. While working from home is supposed to improve work-life balance, it can also increase work-family conflicts due to factors such as longer working hours, role conflicts, discontent, burnout and psychologically dangerous conditions.
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