Leave Is The New Laptop: Indians Redefine Time Off With ‘Work From Leave’

Work from leave: A paradox of modern productivity  
In a surprising shift, Indian employees are increasingly using their paid leave to work—voluntarily. The phenomenon, known as ‘Work From Leave,’ is gaining traction among professionals who feel overwhelmed by meetings, interruptions, and unrealistic deadlines during regular office hours. Instead of unwinding, they’re logging in from home or remote locations to clear backlogs.

Key highlights:

• The trend is driven by a desire for uninterrupted time to complete pending tasks, often without managerial interference  
• Employees cite constant meetings and lack of deep work hours as reasons for choosing leave days to work  
• Some professionals prefer working from leave to avoid burnout caused by juggling deadlines and daily distractions  
• Randstad India’s Workmonitor 2025 survey reveals that 52% of Indian employees would quit jobs lacking flexibility  
• The shift reflects a broader demand for autonomy, better work-life balance, and redefined boundaries between personal and professional time  

A silent signal to employers  
‘Work From Leave’ isn’t just a quirky trend—it’s a quiet protest against rigid schedules and productivity pressure. As more employees opt for this workaround, companies may need to rethink how they structure workdays, meetings, and expectations to retain talent and foster healthier work cultures.

Sources: India Today, Economic Times, New Indian Express