Singaporeans spend most of their days within the four corners of an office. However, many are rethinking their priorities and are wondering if all that time spent in the office is worthwhile. Indeed, a job portal in Singapore, conducted a survey last year (December 2021) and it revealed that almost half (49%) of Singaporeans were unsure whether they would stick to their current job for the next 6 months. The reasons for wanting to resign ranged from increased stress levels and burnout to simply not liking their jobs. The Great Resignation is in full swing, but it is interesting what work will look like after this upheaval.
It is estimated that the average person spends one-third of their life at work. That translates to around 90,000 hours, so it better be time well spent, and Singaporeans are rethinking how and where they spend it.
Choice is the new change
While the debate on the merits and demerits of working from home vs full-time office is one that is unlikely to die down anytime soon, many companies are now offering a ‘hybrid’ mode of part-office, part-home. Singaporeans approve of this and 74% opine that it is a welcome change ushered in by the pandemic. Moreover, the online-first approach when it comes to work, i.e., conducting more work/business online, also finds favour among 3 in 5 (61%) Singaporeans.
Hybrid work has been a topic of interest within the research field, and a recent Harvard Business School Paper highlighted that such flexibility in the workplace enables a better work-life balance while ensuring collaboration during certain times as well, thereby representing the ‘best of both worlds.’ In particular, such an arrangement accommodates and benefits those with special needs.
Singaporeans aren’t averse to the physical office
While Singaporeans value choice and wholly approve of a hybrid work culture, the long pandemic-induced lockdowns have not deterred their enthusiasm for going to office. 7 in 10 Singaporeans polled in our study feel positive about returning to the workplace post the complete relaxation of COVID-19 norms.
This indicates that workers in Singapore value in-person collaborations and social interactions—aspects that are fundamental to healthy workplace dynamics.
Start-ups: The new entry point for careers
While the conventional advice one hears when it comes to making career choices is choosing large, established, secure organisations, Singaporeans seem to be challenging this notion since well over half of those polled (59%) believe that for younger Singaporeans who are just entering the workforce, there are better prospects at start-ups vs. larger firms.
It is true that start-ups lack stability, with reports of recent layoffs around the world, (including a dedicated tech start-up layoff tracker!); however, they also offer unique opportunities and freedom to take on responsibility in a relatively unstructured environment devoid of hierarchy.
Given the current economic scenario though, stable or not, any job will be a welcome one.
Liked these insights? Then write to us on connect@blackbox.com.sg to receive our full report, “Emerging From The Pandemic: The New Mood In Singapore” that covers the above in detail while also offering a deep-dive into the evolving citizen and consumer attitudes, behaviours, and expectations of Singaporeans. Do mention “Yes, I’m interested” in the subject line.
Author: Blackbox Research Team
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