Singapore has unhappiest employees among 7 Asia Pacific countries polled

The Singapore Central Business District skyline showing skyscrapers which house offices and banks. Employees in Singapore are the unhappiest in the Asia Pacific region, a new report has found. -- ST FILE PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI
The Singapore Central Business District skyline showing skyscrapers which house offices and banks. Employees in Singapore are the unhappiest in the Asia Pacific region, a new report has found. -- ST FILE PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI

Employees in Singapore are the unhappiest among seven countries in the Asia Pacific, a new poll has found.

The annual Randstad World of Work Report, now in its eighth year, covers Singapore, Malaysia, China, Hong Kong, India, Australia and New Zealand. Some 23 per cent of workers from surveyed here reported feeling unmotivated in their jobs and that their skills are not being used effectively.

The poll by Randstad, an international recruitment and human resource services provider also discovered that 64 per cent plan to leave their current job in the next 12 months. The results, recorded in the 2013/2014 Randstad World of Work Report, put Singapore at the top of the "unhappiest" rankings.

Singaporean employees are also placing increasing importance on achieving a work-life balance. But more than half of the employers surveyed admitted their organisation's performance in creating flexible work options - such as variable work hours, job-sharing or working from home - is average or poor.

Michael Smith, country director of Randstad Singapore, said the findings show "employee engagement in Singapore has declined over the last 12 months, as cost-conscious employers cut back on company events and forums".

Employees in India were found to be the happiest. Seven out of ten said they were satisfied at work, noting that they feel challenged, motivated and are mentored to learn new skills.

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