Reports & Studies
Original HR research from HRhelpdesk, turning opinion into evidence for better people decisions.
Research that turns opinion into evidence
At HRhelpdesk, we do not borrow conclusions, we build them. Since 2011 we have designed and run our own research on the questions that quietly shape the Indian workplace: how people are paid, how policies are written, where law meets practice, and how employees actually experience work. Each study blends structured research, opinion polls, and data analysis to separate perception from fact, so leaders can decide on evidence rather than instinct.
Every study below is anonymised and carries no personal identifiers, ensuring full confidentiality. Together they represent more than a decade of continuous, independent enquiry, from salary benchmarks and leave practices to sexual harassment, equal opportunity, and the arrival of Ai in HR.
Our Research Library
Listed newest first
Ai in HR, What Every Organisation Must Get Right Before Deployment
This white paper examines the arrival of Ai in HR and the critical questions every organisation must resolve before deployment. Spanning law, ethics, and a practical Ai framework for responsible, human centred adoption.
The Digital Workplace and HR Accountability — Part 2: Technology & Cyber Law
Employee conduct, electronic records, and workplace technology examined through the lens of the IT Act.
HR Technology & People Systems Leadership Role
Sets out the intent, scope, and accountability of a role that has become critical as HR adopts automation, AI, and data-driven people decision systems — ensuring human judgment, ethics, and governance remain deliberately designed as HR technology scales.
The Workplace and Periods
Data collection 27 Jan – 21 Apr 2025 · 245 qualified respondents
Explores the real experiences and challenges faced by menstruating employees in Indian workplaces, revealing gaps in policy, infrastructure, and awareness — and strong support for menstrual leave, with practical recommendations for employers.
How Companies Reacted to Workforce Salaries in Lockdown
Data collection 7 – 30 May 2020 · 1,408 organisations (1,336 qualified)
Insight from more than 1,300 companies in India on what they did to salaries, retrenchment, leave, and forced vacation — presented sector by sector.
Reasons for Exiting an Organization
Data collection 2 Dec 2019 – 12 Jan 2020 · 613 qualified organisations
Attrition is a vital part of the Indian economy. This study examines the optimum rate and experience of exits — where too many wastes trained resources, and too few deprives an organisation of fresh thinking and diversity of ideas.
Sexual Harassment FGD (Social Workers)
Data collection Aug 2019 · 17 social workers, focused group discussion
A focused group study capturing the sexual harassment experienced by social workers at their workplace, conducted as face-to-face interactions across India.
Equal Employment Opportunity Provider
Data collection 20 Jan – 20 Feb 2019 · 535 organisations (389 qualified)
What does it truly mean to be an equal employment opportunity provider? Data from more than 380 companies offers insight into how corporate India is embracing equal opportunity — from a legal perspective and in demonstrable practice.
Voice of Women 2017 — A Survey on Women at Workplace
Data collection 24 Dec 2016 – 5 Feb 2017 · 3,232 women across 39 countries
Highlights the challenges a woman experiences while pursuing her career, and whether organisations provide an environment of safety, security, equality, and an unbiased approach. Of 3,232 qualified participants across 39 countries, more than 80 percent were from India.
Annual HR Satisfaction Survey 2013
Data collection 15 Feb – 31 Mar 2013 · 723 organisations (679 qualified)
Data from more than 723 companies, of which 679 qualified. The study spanned 70 locations, with 10 international locations including MEA. Around 80 percent of participants were from Delhi NCR, Mumbai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Chennai, Pune, and Ahmedabad.
Annual HR Satisfaction Survey 2012
Data collection 20 Feb – 25 Mar 2012 · 509 qualified organisations
One of the largest studies of its kind in India, spanning 73 locations including 14 international locations across the Americas, Africa, and Europe. Around 80 percent of participating companies were from Indian metro and sub-metro cities.
The Digital Workplace and HR Accountability — Part 1: Data Protection
Employee data protection, privacy, and conduct examined under the DPDP Act.
Statutory Principles for Calculating Compensation in India
Compensation is no longer just an HR construct — it is a legal, financial, and governance issue with direct implications for employee trust and organisational risk. As India’s labour codes, judicial interpretations, and regulatory scrutiny converge, this paper bridges the gap between intent and execution in pay design and payroll.
Salary Increment Sentiment 2021
Data collection 15 Jan – 12 Feb 2021 · 628 qualified organisations
An online survey capturing the salary increment sentiment organisations held for the year ending March 2021 — a period marked by significant environmental change.
Employee Perception to COVID
Data collection 26 Mar – 20 Apr 2020 · 1,298 responses (837 qualified)
An open online survey drawing 1,298 responses, of which 837 qualified. Employees across levels and sectors from 837 organisations gave a broad-based view of employee perception during the early COVID scenario in India.
Leaves in India
Data collection 22 Sep – 15 Oct 2019 · 752 qualified organisations
Leave has evolved from a forced necessity into an essential productivity tool. This report examines the environment of leave in India, the kinds of leave offered, and the experience of availing them (excluding festival holidays and compensatory off).
Salary and Benefits Survey 2019
Data collection 1 – 31 Mar 2019 · 563 organisations
A benchmark of how individuals and organisations stack against each other in the Indian market. This is an invitation-only study, not open to public participation.
Private study — property of a sponsor
MahilaBol — 2018
22 Feb – 10 Jun 2018 · 33,224 women studied · 45 cities, 13 states
Run in partnership with the Ministry of Women & Child Development, Government of India, and UN Women, MahilaBol spread awareness of sexual harassment at the workplace and gathered detailed insight from more than 35,000 qualified women across 30 sectors. Findings were submitted to the relevant authorities for review and action.
Findings submitted to authorities — not public
Annual HR Salary Survey 2013
Data collection 1 Sep – 30 Oct 2013 · 770 organisations (600 qualified)
Data from more than 770 companies — up from 440 in 2012 and 260 in 2011. Of these, 600 companies qualified for inclusion, making it one of the largest studies of its kind in India.
Annual HR Salary Survey 2012
Data collection 1 Aug – 30 Sep 2012 · 440 organisations (401 qualified)
Data from more than 440 companies — up from 260 in 2011. Of these, 401 companies qualified for inclusion in the 2012 report.
Annual HR Salary Survey 2011
Data collection 1 – 31 Aug 2011 · 260 organisations (209 qualified)
Our very first study — data from more than 260 companies, of which 209 qualified. Even at inception, it stood as one of the largest studies of its kind in India.
