27% Of Singapore Workers Have Quit Due To Lack Of Flexibility

SINGAPORE – A survey by Randstad found out that slightly more than one out of four employees in the city-state have resigned from a job that did not provide enough flexible working arrangements in terms of working hours and location, reported the Singapore Business Review (SBR) on Sunday evening (14 August, SGT).

Notably, 77 percent of the polled Singapore staff said they value remote work arrangements the most, while 52 percent said so for flexible working hours. In fact, 41 percent of the respondents said they won’t accept a job if they cannot work during the hours they prefer, while 42 percent won’t accept a job if it doesn’t permit working from home (WFH).

“Employers that want to retain their employees should consider offering more flexible work models to meet the changing talent expectations that are brought about and exacerbated by the pandemic,” said Jaya Dass, Managing Director at Randstad Singapore and Malaysia.

“In addition to offering flexible work arrangements, 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,” she noted.

Moreover, 52 percent of the surveyed Singapore workers said they would resign from their jobs if it prevents them from enjoying their life. Likewise, 41 percent said they would rather be unemployed than be unhappy at their work. This sentiment was stronger in staff aged 25 to 34 than those between the ages of 45 and 54.

“Mature workers may have higher financial responsibilities, a more established career, and are thus less likely to risk their job security to change employers. Conversely, younger employees are reforming their definition of success, which is reflected in their willingness to explore job switches to find the organisational structures and culture that best match their aspirations and lifestyles,” added Dass.