About nine in 10 working Singaporeans are happy overall, with most indicating that marriage and parenthood contribute "significantly" to one's happiness, according to a survey by the family development unit of National Trades Union Congress (NTUC).

The poll, conducted online by NTUC U Family in November last year, involved 5,255 of the unit's unionised members. Most of the respondents are married, below the age of 55 and work full-time.

Based on the survey, about nine in 10 of respondents who are married agreed that marriage contributes to their happiness. The same proportion of respondents who are parents said that having children make them happier.

Among those who are happy in their workplace, motivated in their current jobs and said that they are likely to stay on in their jobs, cited good relationships with co-workers and supervisors as the main reasons.

The survey findings show that more steps are needed to support working families in the area of the work-life harmony, NTUC U Family said in its press release. Ms Toh Hwee Tin, director of NTUC U Family, said that the labour movement is working with employers to create a family-friendly workplace environment with flexible work arrangements.

Such arrangements "should not be viewed as a workplace privilege (just for mothers)... After all, both working fathers and mothers want to put their best at work and home", added Ms Toh.

At a media briefing on Thursday, NTUC U Family also unveiled recommendations for family-friendly workplace practices. These include providing basic flexible work arrangements, family-care leave and access to family-supportive facilities, as well as career progression pathways for workers on flexible work arrangements.

NTUC U Family hopes that at least half of NTUC's unionised companies will provide such options for their staff by next year.