Singaporeans desire better working conditions, dissatisfied with management: study finds

Career progression, salary, training, flexibility among sore spots.

A quarter of workers in the city-state reported poor relationships with their managers, significantly higher than the 11% average reported for the Asia Pacific region, according to a report by ADP.

In its People at Work 2023 study, the human capital management solutions firm found that around half of Singaporean workers are also convinced that management is not capable of dealing with mental health issues without judgment.

Workers pointed out the inadequacy of management in satisfying or outright providing career progression, salary, training and development and flexibility of both working hours and location. 

Despite this, around half said they are still satisfied with their job security, job title and their enjoyment of their working day-to-day.

The report identified nearly 40% of workers with poor working relationships with their managers were working remotely, 27% worked in hybrid set-ups and 21% worked on-site.

ADP also discovered that all age groups grew in dissatisfaction with management compared to 2022, excluding Gen Z respondents.

Flexibility of working conditions grew in popularity following the pandemic, with 10% of respondents expressing their willingness to take a pay cut in exchange for shorter work weeks.

Over 30% of workers believe the four-day work week to become the status quo in the next five years.

A third of workers are demanding hybrid work set-ups and full flexibility in working hours based on productivity and results metrics, while close to 30% demand the ability to work from any location.

Extra time off from work is also expected by workers in the next five years, with 15% predicting the option to reduce their salaries for more vacation days, 14% predicting the option to buy extra time off and 12% predicting unlimited holidays.