Singapore (25 April 2024) –97% of Singaporeans say that meaning at work is important to them, and more than half of them (51%) are planning to take action to achieve it. Released today by job platform Jobs_that_makesense Asia, and global recruitment agency Manpower, the study polled largely working adults as well as a smaller group of tertiary students (33%) poised to enter the workforce.
The report, titled: “The quest for meaning at work", is the very first Southeast Asia-focused research survey on the pursuit of meaning at work. The report explores the responses of 2,023 participants from six key Southeast Asian countries and aims to define what meaningful work means to today’s workforce. 494 in Singapore participated in this survey.
When looking for a new job, nearly half of the Singapore respondents (48%) have identified salary and job stability as their top priorities. And one in three respondents said that maintaining a positive work-life balance is becoming increasingly important for professional fulfillment. Significantly, the pursuit of a high salary is not driven by the quest for material wealth but rather by the aim to provide comfort and security for one’s family.
Unfortunately, the report shows that only one in five (20%) Singapore respondents is “very satisfied” with the level of purpose in their current role, demonstrating a significant opportunity for organizations who want to set themselves apart in the tight talent market.
SINGAPORE FINDINGS:
97% of Singapore respondents indicated that having meaning at work was important to them. However, only one in five (20%) of Singapore respondents indicated they currently feel “very satisfied” with their current level of meaning at work.
More than eight out of ten Singapore respondents agreed that enhancing working conditions with flexible hours, comprehensive health insurance and equal pay (82%), advocacy for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) and other social causes (65%), and creating more opportunities dedicated to Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) (56%) are actions organizations could implement to enhance their meaning at work.
Limited availability of green and social-driven job opportunities (33%), the need to balance personal life responsibilities with professional aspirations (20%), and lack of skills and experience (15%) are the top three challenges Singapore respondents face in their quest for jobs with purpose.
Seven in ten (73%) Singapore respondents indicated that they take into consideration the company’s reputation for social responsibility when deciding to work for them.
SOUTHEAST ASIA FINDINGS:
98% of participants surveyed from six key SEA countries indicated that having meaning at work was important to them. Only one in five (21%) of SEA respondents indicated they currently feel “very satisfied” with their current level of meaning at work.
More than half of SEA respondents expect their companies to take a leading role in promoting sustainability initiatives. They also advocate for the creation of more positions dedicated to ESG responsibilities and the provision of learning programs for employees that focus on societal impact and sustainability.
While the majority (86%) of SEA respondents believe that any job can contribute to the betterment of society and the planet, 53% of them are contemplating a career change to actively pursue this purpose. Impressively, 84% of those who have already made the transition report high levels of satisfaction.
The significance of a company's reputation, particularly in social responsibility, has become a critical factor for job seekers. In fact, 77% of SEA respondents indicate that a company’s reputation in these areas significantly contributes to their decision to pursue employment with them.
Respondents expect their companies and employers to balance improvements in workplace conditions with a commitment to broader societal well-being. More than seven out of ten respondents agreed enhancing working conditions with flexible hours, comprehensive health insurance and equal pay (74%), and advocacy for DEI and other social causes (72%) are actions organizations could implement to enhance their meaning at work.
ManpowerGroup’s Country Manager for Singapore, Ms Linda Teo, said that the report’s insights will help employers in Singapore come up with better strategies to realign their business objectives to individual aspirations, setting the stage for a more inclusive and sustainable business model.
“Whenever the topic of meaning at work is discussed, Gen Z usually comes to mind. However, the report shows that it’s not just Gen Z who wants to work in jobs that combine passion with purpose, but workers across different age groups.”
Ms Teo added, “Notably, the report reveals that majority of Singapore believe that having more flexibility in their work improves their working conditions, giving them greater job fulfillment. Employers who have been slow to roll out flexible work arrangements should take note or risk falling behind in the race for talent.”
ABOUT THE METHODOLOGY
The survey was conducted across six countries (Singapore, Malaysia, the Philippines, Indonesia, Vietnam, and Thailand), offering participants the choice to respond in English, Thai, or Vietnamese. A total of 2,023 individuals took part in the survey, which was administered in March 2024. Respondents represented diverse sectors and demographics, spanning from small to large organizations, encompassing both nonprofit and corporate sectors. The majority of participants hailed from the for-profit industry.
