The survey conducted by Randstad between October and November last year included approximately 760 working professionals and job seekers in Singapore between the ages of 18 and 67. The survey’s key finding highlighted the increasing prioritization of work-life balance over salaries among respondents, despite ongoing concerns surrounding inflation and rising living costs. Notably, 49% of respondents indicated their willingness to leave positions that required extended office hours, with a significant 70% agreement among Gen Z respondents. Furthermore, the survey revealed that a substantial majority of Gen Z workers (68%) would not consider employment with organizations that lack flexible working hours, and 61% would reject those without flexible work locations. Among the respondents, a significant 42% expressed their unwillingness to accept overly inflexible job offers, while 26% reported having resigned from previous roles due to insufficient work flexibility. Work-life balance has emerged as a top priority for employees, with 95% of respondents emphasizing its importance in both current and future job roles, surpassing the 90% who prioritized pay. According to Jaya Dass, Managing Director of Permanent Recruitment at Randstad, organizations must equip middle managers with the necessary skills to understand and support flexible work arrangements within their teams. She observed that employees are now prioritizing growth and development over traditional notions of career progression. Archana Srinivasan, Human Resources Director at a private company and a senior professional at the Institute for Human Resource Professionals, highlighted the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on flexible work arrangements, noting that Gen Z employees have come to expect such arrangements as they have spent a significant portion of their working lives in the post-pandemic era. She emphasized the need for companies to address the challenge of catering to diverse generational needs while fostering collaboration and mitigating potential divisions in the workplace. Srinivasan also pointed to the strong element of trust between employers and employees in Singapore, allowing workers to demand and expect flexible work options. She remarked that the focus has shifted towards output rather than physical presence in the office, leading to a re-evaluation of work arrangements. Additionally, the survey respondents expressed concerns regarding social and environmental issues in their workplaces. Over 37% indicated their reluctance to join organizations that did not prioritize sustainability, particularly among Gen Z respondents (67%). Similarly, 39% would not accept employment with employers who failed to promote diversity and inclusivity. Equity, diversity, and inclusion policies ranked high among respondents’ preferences, with family leave, a diverse workforce, and gender pay equity being key considerations in both current and future workplaces.
Work-Life Balance and Flexibility Top Priorities for Singapore’s Workforce: Randstad Survey
