Employee engagement in Singapore declines for three consecutive years

A third of employees are not comfortable with expressing their ideas.

Employee engagement in Singapore fell consistently for the past three years from 77% in 2014 to 74% in 2016, according to a report by consulting firm Mercer.

The trend also moved contrarily against the upward trend on a global scale.

The decline has been due to weaker feelings of pride and satisfaction in their organisations, Mercer said.

The company's analysis showed that innovation and career development are the biggest drivers for the phenomenon.

For 2017, it was revealed that 81% are proud to work for their companies whilst 80% are willing to "go the extra mile."

Moreover, 73% are satisfied with the companies they work for. In Singapore, 68% recommend their companies as good workplaces, but this lagged behind the Asia Pacific rate of 76%.

Still, Mercer maintained that, "Many organizations strive to provide a culture and environment that continually improves the way work is done and cultivates new ideas to set the pace for future success. They understand that people want to contribute their ideas and opinions and feel listened to. However, leaders struggle with this."

One out of three feels uncomfortable with expressing their views in the office.

Moreover, 20% say they do not receive feedback from their immediate managers.

This could be brought about by the fact that 95% of employees still want to be recognized and rewarded for a wider range of contributions.

"We are in the middle of a fundamental shift in what employees value. This is mostly a function of shifting demographics, like the aging working population and the arrival of digital-native millennials to the workforce," Mercer said.

The firm recommended seven steps to improve workplace conditions, including fair and competitive compensation, clear and directive leaders, promotion opportunities, and career path information. More flexible work options, working with esteemed peers, and transparency towards pay could also make a positive impact in the workplace.