Four in 10 former part-time workers are considering rejoining the workforce thanks to flexible work arrangements, according to a report by International Workplace Group.
With the current focus on driving economic growth, hybrid work has the potential to boost productivity and bring more skilled labour into the workforce, said the Luxembourg-headquartered flexible and hybrid workspaces provider.
The research highlighted that the biggest factor discouraging part-time workers from staying in or rejoining the workforce is increasing commuting costs, with 40% of part-time workers saying they would leave the workforce entirely if required to commute to a city centre office every day they work.
With India’s gig workforce set for dramatic growth in the coming decade—projected to reach an estimated 23.5 million workers by 2030—the needs of this demographic are a key consideration for business leaders. They can retain talent while unlocking and bolstering growth given the increased adoption of flexible and freelance work models across diverse sectors.
About 6.8 million white-collar professionals in India were engaged in gig roles in 2024-25, up 17% year-on-year. This shift reflects a broader transformation in the Indian labour market, where gig, part-time and project-based employment are becoming central to both economic inclusivity and productivity enhancement.
The research highlighted that nearly half (49%) of part-time workers surveyed would consider leaving employment if denied flexible working options. Similarly, about a third (31%) of part-time workers who are now required to commute to the office every working day are looking for new roles, while 55% of all part-time workers said they would quit their current role if they had to travel long distances during their working week.
On the other hand, offering workplace flexibility is key to enticing former part-time workers back into the workforce, with 55% surveyed saying they would return to work if they had flexibility in their working patterns. Besides, 57% said working more locally, from flexible workspaces, would make returning to the office more appealing, while 63% said they would consider boosting their hours if they could work more flexibly.
For older workers, part-time work is an attractive option for staying engaged in the workforce; 45% of those surveyed said part-time work had allowed them to delay their retirement. In India, hybrid and part-time roles are enabling older employees to remain in the workforce longer.
The survey also found that increasing cost of commuting is a key deterrent for part-time workers wanting to stay in or rejoin the workforce. While 41% former part-time workers said the cost of commuting had deterred them from returning to work, 44% of those working part-time currently said increasing cost of commuting was making it harder to financially justify staying in work. In India, this issue is notably present in major urban centres, where extended commute times and increasing transport costs contribute to the ongoing challenges faced by workers.
Professionals in Bengaluru, Delhi-National Capital Region and Hyderabad, among other places, face daily commutes averaging 45-55 minutes one way, with monthly commuting expenses for many urban employees ranging from Rs 1,500-7,000, depending on distance and mode of transport. This financial strain underscores that cost-of-living pressures are reshaping workforce participation decisions, particularly among part-time employees.
“High commuting costs combined with limited flexibility are a challenge for many part-time workers,” said Mark Dixon, CEO of International Workplace Group. “By offering greater flexibility over how and where work is done, businesses can not only retain these valuable team members but also attract talented individuals back into the workforce. Given that part-time workers represent a significant proportion of the labour market, their impact on overall productivity is substantial.”
With the current focus on driving economic growth, hybrid work has the potential to boost productivity and bring more skilled labour into the workforce, said the Luxembourg-headquartered flexible and hybrid workspaces provider.
The research highlighted that the biggest factor discouraging part-time workers from staying in or rejoining the workforce is increasing commuting costs, with 40% of part-time workers saying they would leave the workforce entirely if required to commute to a city centre office every day they work.
With India’s gig workforce set for dramatic growth in the coming decade—projected to reach an estimated 23.5 million workers by 2030—the needs of this demographic are a key consideration for business leaders. They can retain talent while unlocking and bolstering growth given the increased adoption of flexible and freelance work models across diverse sectors.
About 6.8 million white-collar professionals in India were engaged in gig roles in 2024-25, up 17% year-on-year. This shift reflects a broader transformation in the Indian labour market, where gig, part-time and project-based employment are becoming central to both economic inclusivity and productivity enhancement.
The research highlighted that nearly half (49%) of part-time workers surveyed would consider leaving employment if denied flexible working options. Similarly, about a third (31%) of part-time workers who are now required to commute to the office every working day are looking for new roles, while 55% of all part-time workers said they would quit their current role if they had to travel long distances during their working week.
On the other hand, offering workplace flexibility is key to enticing former part-time workers back into the workforce, with 55% surveyed saying they would return to work if they had flexibility in their working patterns. Besides, 57% said working more locally, from flexible workspaces, would make returning to the office more appealing, while 63% said they would consider boosting their hours if they could work more flexibly.
For older workers, part-time work is an attractive option for staying engaged in the workforce; 45% of those surveyed said part-time work had allowed them to delay their retirement. In India, hybrid and part-time roles are enabling older employees to remain in the workforce longer.
The survey also found that increasing cost of commuting is a key deterrent for part-time workers wanting to stay in or rejoin the workforce. While 41% former part-time workers said the cost of commuting had deterred them from returning to work, 44% of those working part-time currently said increasing cost of commuting was making it harder to financially justify staying in work. In India, this issue is notably present in major urban centres, where extended commute times and increasing transport costs contribute to the ongoing challenges faced by workers.
Professionals in Bengaluru, Delhi-National Capital Region and Hyderabad, among other places, face daily commutes averaging 45-55 minutes one way, with monthly commuting expenses for many urban employees ranging from Rs 1,500-7,000, depending on distance and mode of transport. This financial strain underscores that cost-of-living pressures are reshaping workforce participation decisions, particularly among part-time employees.
“High commuting costs combined with limited flexibility are a challenge for many part-time workers,” said Mark Dixon, CEO of International Workplace Group. “By offering greater flexibility over how and where work is done, businesses can not only retain these valuable team members but also attract talented individuals back into the workforce. Given that part-time workers represent a significant proportion of the labour market, their impact on overall productivity is substantial.”
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