Most Singapore Workers Expect To Work Longer In A 4-Day Work Week

Office Finder Team

June 22, 2022

Singapore

SINGAPORE – A poll conducted by US-based software firm Qualtrics revealed that full-time staff in the city-state expressed concern that they would need to work longer hours if a four-day work week is implemented, reported The Straits Times on Tuesday evening (21 June, SGT).

Still, the workers will support their companies if they roll out such work arrangement as the resulting additional rest day would be beneficial for their mental health. This are among the findings of an online survey of more than 1,000 employees in Singapore. Their sectors range from retail to information technology (IT). The study’s findings were published on Tuesday.

Notably, some local companies here have implemented flexible work arrangements, including a shorter work week amid the virus outbreak. Surveys carried out by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) showed that majority of workers want these to continue.

According to the Qualtrics poll, 80 percent of the respondents expect to work longer hours under a four-day work week. 60 percent were also concerned that such work arrangement would impact customer satisfaction. Over 50 percent think that it could negatively affect their firm’s performance. Nonetheless, 90 percent believe it would benefit their mental health.

Qualtrics’ Employee Experience Solution Strategist for Southeast Asia Lauren Huntington insists that flexible work arrangements can be continued without suffering a drop in performance. For example, she advises employers to create rosters so that clients can still seek help from staff when they need to despite the four-day work week

In the study, 19 percent of the respondents defined flexibility as being able to decide the days when to work, 26 percent said it’s working from anywhere, while 33 percent defined it as having control of their own hours.

Interestingly, 64 percent of employees in Singapore prefer to be permitted to work whenever they want over a five-day work week than have fixed working hours during a shortened four-day work week.