Gig workers in demand across eight out of 10 companies: Nasscom-Indeed survey

According to a survey by Nasscom and Indeed India, eight out of 10 organizations are exploring or open to gig models. Startups and the business process management sector are leading in gig worker hiring. The report focused on the future of jobs, workforce dynamics, and the evolving workspace. It found that Gen Z and millennials are opting for gig roles for flexible job locations and specialized skills.

Eight out of 10 organisations are either exploring or open to gig models, according to a survey conducted by the National Association of Software and Services Companies (Nasscom) and Indeed.

Startups and the business process management sector are mostly leading in gig worker hiring, said the report titled ‘Future of Work – Unravelling the Intricacies of New-Gen Work’, which focused on the future of jobs, workforce dynamics and the evolving workspace.

While most organisations are actively engaged in hiring gig workers, about 30% of the large organisations are still not open to this model owing to factors such as data security concerns and client preferences, said the report.

Gen Z (those born between the late 1990s and the early 2010s) and millennials (those born between the early 1980s and the late 1990s) are opting for gig roles for flexible job locations and specialised skills, as per the report. Gig workers are being hired in domains such as software development, data annotation and business analytics, it said.

The survey covered 185 companies and about 2,500 workers.

It found that expansion across tier-2 and tier-3 cities in India is gaining prominence as service-based organisations as well as global capability centres are looking to tap into diverse talent pools.

Most organisations are adopting a hybrid and flexible work approach, according to the report. “To also encourage employees to return to office, companies are customising strategies based on their size, workforce distribution, sector constraints, and specific job requirements,” it said.

Millennials and Gen Zers constitute about 90% of the current tech workforce in India.

Learning and growth, and culture and ethics, are the top criteria for both millennials and Gen Zers when selecting an organisation, the survey found.

“Over the past five years, there has been a noticeable shift from traditional office settings to an exploration of remote work, followed by a recent trend of returning to office spaces,” said Sangeeta Gupta, chief strategy officer, Nasscom. “The future of work will be defined by the dynamic balance between efficiency improvements from automation and the expansive potential of creativity unleashed by continuous innovation.”

“In the ever-evolving workplace influenced by emerging generations and technological advancements, organisations must align with the expectations of millennials and Gen Z to attract and retain top talent,” said Sashi Kumar, head of sales-India at Indeed India. “Emphasising personalised learning and growth opportunities, particularly within specialised tech roles, and cultivating a positive corporate culture are key strategies for successful recruitment.”

Source: GWFM Research & Study