Advertisement

Two in five employees in Singapore looking to change jobs in 2019: survey

Office workers cross a street in Singapore's central business district April 27, 2017.  REUTERS/Edgar Su
Office workers cross a street in Singapore's central business district. (PHOTO: REUTERS/Edgar Su)

SINGAPORE — Two in five employees in Singapore will be looking to change jobs this year, according to a survey released on Wednesday (19 June).

Among these employees, 40 per cent cited “limited career path” as the key reason, the global survey by recruitment firm Randstad Singapore showed.

While sentiment on the economy and labour market is cautious, people are still actively looking for new jobs as employee experience becomes increasingly important, Randstad said in its annual Employer Brand Research report.

Employees in Singapore tend to consider leaving their jobs when they feel they are not fairly recognised or rewarded (31 per cent), or are unable to strike a balance between work and their personal lives (31 per cent), the survey indicated.

For 65 percent of respondents, the most important criteria is “attractive salary and benefits”, followed by 61 per cent for “good work-life balance”.

“As we get older, our aspirations and needs change. Our personal lives tend to take centre stage, so rather than spending extra time in the office, we may want to spend more time with our family or go on vacations,” said Jaya Dass, managing director of Randstad Singapore and Malaysia.

The survey also shows the contrasting factors that employees of the different age groups look for during their job search.

One in three millennials (between 25 and 34 years of age) surveyed said they would apply for jobs in companies that provide robust training.

About 42 per cent of Generation Z (between 18 and 24 years of age) respondents look for interesting jobs that they are excited about. Almost half of Gen Z workers want to work in an office with a pleasant work atmosphere.

In contrast, mature workers aged between 55 and 64, seek flexibility and strong management for their jobs.

The annual report explores the factors that influence and motivate employees and job seekers search for a new career opportunity. The survey, conducted between 7 December 2018 and 4 January 2019, reached out to more than 200,000 respondents across 32 markets, including 2,502 from Singapore.

Related stories:

More than one-third of job vacancies in 2018 unfilled for 6 months or more

Glassdoor launches Singapore jobs site with 70,000 postings