Workforce Spirit Amidst the Pandemic – An Indian Perspective “The Virus mutates and so should we”

Abstract

Purpose: To remain motivated is an important life-skill, as it helps to cope with the
challenges thrown by life and also steer forward towards a purpose. The crisis caused
due to the novel Corona virus pandemic has brought about a considerable change in
the life of the workforce and this change has manifested itself with some transforming
intrinsic and extrinsic motivators. This research paper tries to explore how the
motivators for the workforce have changed and in turn effected the overall engagement
quotient of the different segments of the workforce.
Design / Methodology / Approach: This exploration has been done by collecting
primary data associated to the workforce sentiment from all across India having a
sample size of 249; out of which 150 are from the private sector, 91 from the public
sector and 8 being freelancers. Also, 195 of the sample are from the service sector and
54 from the manufacturing sector. A number of statistical techniques (viz. multiple
linear regression, ANOVA, paired t testing etc.) have been used to determine at what
extent the transformed internal and external motivators effected the motivation of the
Indian workforce during the Covid-19 Pandemic and also whether there are significant
concerns coming up regarding the belief, faith and action of the Indian workforce.
Findings: The findings reveal that though the overall motivation level of the entire
workforce has come down due to the pandemic, there are still certain factors present -
both as intrinsic and extrinsic motivators which makes them positive and drives them
forward. Nevertheless, it is the role of the government and the concerned businesses
to do their part in developing the constructive motivators and try to lessen or eradicate
the de-motivators; as they have been found to significantly impact the moral and
motivation level of the Indian workforce.
Originality / Value: This paper will benefit the private and public sectors to
recognize their employee motivators better and understand the engagement level
during a crisis period. It will also notify the government how it should inculcate
innovative skill development and technical empowerment to their employees,
to keep them and hence the country competitive during this catastrophe.