41% of Singaporeans choose happiness over employment
Four in 10 workers in Singapore would rather be unemployed than feel unhappy in their jobs, according to a poll by recruitment firm Randstad Singapore.
In its latest 2022 Workmonitor survey, Randstad revealed that more Singaporeans are searching for happiness and meaning in their careers since the COVID-19 pandemic wrought changes upon their daily lives.
As a result, many workers are looking for a positive workplace culture that can provide greater well-being support, clear communication, relevant training programs, and a strong management team.
By age group, 56% of respondents aged 18-24 said that they would quit if their jobs prevented them from enjoying life, while 57% of employees aged 25-34 would leave for the same reason.
However, 46% of respondents aged between 45 and 54 agreed with this sentiment.
The research explained that while younger employees are reforming their definition of success, mature workers have higher financial responsibilities and more established careers. Thus, they are less likely to risk their job security.
Randstad Malaysia and Singapore Managing Director Jaya Dass said, “With workers returning to the office, the autonomy with flexible work has fallen, and other schedules such as family responsibilities have to be adjusted again.”
Dass added that “companies should reconsider the purpose of the office as a collaborative space that fills up the communicative gaps of remote work, rather than resign to closed-off work cubicles.”
