Maddy, software professional, does not feel money is more important than happy colleagues. He is one of the many Indians who rate a friendly working environment way over pay cheques.

The statement has found a footing in HR services firm —Randstad’s India’s latest global Workmonitor Survey 2012, which says Indian employees are willing to compromise on salaries for pleasant colleagues and job security. “Eighty-two per cent of the employees surveyed in India attach a premium to pleasant colleagues, which is the second highest in the world after China and it is well above the world average of 60 per cent,” the survey said.
A journalist, Sheena Jain, agrees that pleasant colleagues are more important for her. “Different people have different priorities at different points of time, some want money, and others want peace of mind. Also, you are more aggressive at the beginning of your career. Once you have a family, you tend to look out for stress-free jobs that can also lend you some flexibility in terms of time,” says Sheena, who much prefers a friendly working environment.
A preference for co-operative colleagues is not limited to women, younger men too are opting to be flexible on money and focusing on the work environment. Maddy says, “The work environment, colleagues and people policies of the organisation are the main reasons for companies to have little or less attrition rates. Salary is not the motivational driver at all. People prefer working at a particular organisation because there is good camaraderie. Money can’t buy you job satisfaction.”
A pleasant working environment always helps in striking that work-life balance where money becomes the next option. “Money does matter, but only during the year-end when you have performance appraisals. You don’t crib everyday because your salary is less. You may crib everyday with the reasons like there is no teamwork’… I am not being challenged’ or there is no flexibility at work and all’,” adds Maddy.
Most employees say that their preference should not be confused with lack of confidence or that they are working in a comfort zone. Pawan Khattar, who has been working with the same group for over eight years feels that it has got a lot to do with teamwork. “I have got encouraging and supporting colleagues, that is why I chose to work in the same company for so long. All the other people who moved out keep complaining how it gets difficult to work in an unfriendly work environment. Plus, we get new targets everyday that keeps us on our toes,” says he.
While many argue that Indians are money saving and are less prone to risk taking and prefer a more stable and a secure job, Himanshi Sharma Jha, an editor, chooses to disagree. According to her, salary is what keeps employees rooted to their jobs.
“People often look for a job change when they are not content with their salary. The work environment and job security does bring a certain level of comfort at the psychological level; however, it is money that ultimately becomes the driving force to get up every morning and go to office. Most people work to sustain themselves and their families. In a developing country like ours, talented people from small towns and cities leave behind the comfort of their homes to go to earn good salaries in big cities, not for pleasant colleagues and job security,” she says.