For Singapore Job Seekers, Flexibility is a Must

Research from Randstad finds that 49% of employees in Singapore would quit jobs that require them to work in the office more frequently.

By Maggie Mancini

Singapore’s workforce has made flexible work a business imperative, as 49% say they would leave jobs that require them to work more frequently in the office, according to the latest Randstad Workmonitor survey.  

The survey finds that Gen Z is the most likely to feel this way, with 69% agreeing that they would also leave jobs that require them to work in the office more often. This was followed by 47% for millennials, 45% for baby boomers, and 44% for Gen X. 

At the same time, 42% of Singaporeans would not accept a job that is too inflexible. This is especially prominent amongst Gen Z employees, who would not work for a business that does not provide enough flexibility around their working hours (68%) and location (61%). 

Randstad’s survey also reveals a growing disconnect between talent expectations and employer practices regarding work flexibility. It finds that two-thirds of respondents have committed to significant life choices, like moving houses or getting pets, with the expectation that flexible work will continue. This suggests a strong desire for flexibility to be the new way of working rather than simply being a temporary pandemic-related measure. 

Despite wanting to work from home more often, 67% of respondents report their employers have become stricter about working at the office. Younger generations, Gen Z (74%), and millennials (72%) feel this disconnect more acutely. 

Meanwhile, Randstad’s survey finds that 26% of respondents quit their jobs due to a lack of work flexibility.