Survey shows Singaporeans might quit their jobs if forced back to the office full-time; wants to work remotely at least once a week – Employment Hero

Like other employees around the globe who have become accustomed to a hybrid work environment, Singaporeans are pushing back on employers who insist they return to the office full-time.

According to the 2022 Remote Work Report by Employment Hero, which polled close to 1,000 Singaporean knowledge workers, Gen Z and Millennials aged 18-35 were the main drivers of this trend, results say:

• 81% of Singaporean workers are keen to take on a permanent remote position
• 46% of remote and hybrid workers would even consider leaving their jobs if employers forced them to return to the office full-time

Location fluidity was cited as one of the main reasons for Singaporeans to want to work remotely, with 30% of Singaporean workers having moved further away from the office or taken a working holiday while working remotely.

Additionally, the rise of remote work has also brought about fresh opportunities Singaporeans are keen to pursue. This was particularly prominent amongst Gen Zs who are 78% more likely to consider moving abroad.

The Current State of Work

While 84% of employees worked remotely or in a hybrid style from 2020 and 2021, the return to a post-pandemic ‘normal’ saw 41% returning to the office full-time this year. Of these, 49% stated that their return was due to their employer’s directive.

With the rising cost of living and talks of an upcoming recession, over half of Singaporean knowledge workers have a secondary income stream to relieve some of their financial burdens.

• 48% agreed that sometimes their other income streams take away their focus from their primary job
• 81% stated that their side income does not affect their productivity at work

Additionally, respondents also said that remote or hybrid work has been better for their work-life balance, mental health, quality of work, productivity, and innovation.

More importantly, Singaporean workers also believe that it supports diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI), with 64% of workers from marginalised groups agreeing that remote work protects them from discrimination.

There is a clear preference amongst Singaporean knowledge workers for being able to work remotely, particularly in a hybrid model where they are able to enjoy the best of home and office settings.