Workers eye exit as work-life balance pressures mount

Randstad found a strong mobility intent, with 30% planning moves in 2026.

Nearly half of workers would consider leaving their current employer to improve work-life balance, according to Randstad Singapore’s latest employer branding study, underscoring growing retention pressure for companies.

The 15th edition of the Employer Brand Research by Randstad found that 43% of respondents said they would resign specifically to improve work-life balance, closely trailing compensation at 44% as the top reason for leaving an employer.

The study, conducted independently by Kantar in January 2026, surveyed 2,500 working adults in Singapore as part of a global sample of 166,000 respondents.

It also found that 68% of respondents prioritise good work-life balance when evaluating an employer, ahead of 64% who prioritise attractive salary and benefits.

Job-switching sentiment remains elevated, with 30% of respondents indicating they plan to change employers in the first half of 2026, whilst 17% reported having changed jobs in late 2025.

Separately, broader labour market data from Indeed shows a growing preference for more flexible work arrangements among Singapore jobseekers, highlighting a widening alignment gap between employer offerings and candidate expectations.

Only 40% of employers in Singapore offer flexible schedules for agile roles, whilst 42% provide remote work options, even as more job seekers are drawn to roles that offer work-life balance, according to the report.

Indeed also found that Singapore jobseekers place a stronger emphasis on flexibility and work-life balance than the global average, with 38% citing flexibility and control over time as the main reason for considering agile work, and 35% pointing to improved work-life balance.

Randstad noted that beyond pay and flexibility, employees define work-life balance through workload and working environment, with 44% citing a good working environment and 42% citing reasonable workload as key components.

Generational breakdowns showed broadly similar priorities across groups, with work-life balance and salary remaining top factors, alongside career progression and equal opportunities.

The findings also showed that 70% of respondents in Singapore consider in-person contact essential during their career journey, rising to 75% amongst Gen Z respondents during job applications.