I hate this job: 46% of Singapore's workers admit to not loving their jobs

It's just their cash cows.

Bosses may be having HR nightmares as almost 1 in 2 Singapore employees confess that they do not love their jobs.

According to a survey by Randstad, almost half (46 percent) of employees in Singapore do not think they have the perfect job, with three-quarters (75 percent) viewing their job only as a way to make a living and nothing more. 

Here's more from the survey:

Singapore ranks second in Asia Pacific, behind Japan (56 percent), with the number of employees loving their jobs the least. The global quarterly survey of 33 countries also revealed that employees in India are the happiest in their current roles, with eight in ten (80 percent) claiming that they have the perfect job.

Country Director of Randstad Singapore, Mr Michael Smith, said that with today’s rising cost of living, it is not surprising that many of Singapore’s workforce view their jobs solely as a means to put food on the table.

“However, it is important that they look beyond remuneration and also consider job satisfaction, career progression opportunities, and a pleasant working atmosphere when making decisions about their future employment.

“Job satisfaction plays a vital role in determining an employee’s efficiency and productivity. Those who are content with their jobs are generally more motivated, and demonstrate higher engagement and better performance,” Mr Smith said.

The survey of 5670 employees in Singapore also found that the majority of respondents would not hesitate to change jobs if they could make more money (80 percent), improve career opportunities (78 percent) or find a job that was a better match with their educational backgrounds (71 percent).

Mr Smith added that the results highlight the different career motivations amongst employees in Singapore, and organisations which recognise these motivations will have a competitive edge in today’s tight labour marketplace.

“Understanding what motivates employees in their job search and decision to remain in a role will not only allow employers to better engage with their staff, but also increase their employees’ job satisfaction and as a result, the productivity of their workforce.

“There are many ways employers can engage their staff and keep them motivated. For example, giving employees the opportunity to have more control over their career will allow them to set their own goals and feel a sense of achievement when these goals are met. Creating an atmosphere of growth by providing training and development opportunities can also help contribute to staff engagement and increase satisfaction at the workplace,” he said.

The majority (60 percent) of employees in Singapore believe that one can always switch careers at any moment in time. Employees are open-minded to temporary work, with three quarters (74 percent) acknowledging that it provides a stepping stone to a permanent job. If unemployed, three quarters of employees (75 percent) will use a staffing agency to find their next job.