Intersectionality and well-being in an India-based information technology company

Abstract

Orientation: While contemporary workplaces can foster structure, purpose and social connection, they can concurrently be a source of psychological distress.
Research purpose: This research examined how specific demographic factors influence workplace well-being among employees in an India-based information technology (IT) company.
Motivation for the study: Despite growing global interest in workplace well-being, evidence from non-Western contexts remains limited.
Research approach/design and method: Adopting an explanatory sequential mixed-methods design, the research integrated a cross-sectional survey (n = 109) with two focus group discussions (n = 15) and five interviews (n = 5) to explore experiences of well-being, engagement and perceived stress.
Main findings: Five constructs were quantitatively assessed: mental well-being, life satisfaction, flourishing, work engagement and perceived stress. Among 20 hypotheses tested, 2 yielded statistically significant results: life satisfaction was significantly higher among high-income employees (p = 0.011) and perceived stress differed across generational cohorts (p = 0.043), with younger employees reporting more stress. Qualitative data revealed how job demands, social identities and technostress shaped well-being experiences. Younger participants described heightened stress linked to isolation, urban commuting and reduced social interaction after transitioning from college to corporate life.
Practical/managerial implications: The findings highlight the need for culturally sensitive and demographically responsive well-being interventions in fast-evolving work environments.
Contribution/value-add: This research contributes to Global South scholarship on workplace mental well-being by showing that intersectional demographic factors significantly shape well-being outcomes.