3 in 10 Singapore workers plan to quit their jobs in next two years: survey

For their next job, workers look at pay, work flexibility and career opportunities.

A new study showed 29% of employees in the city are planning to leave their current employer within the next two years mainly due to pay and benefits, Ipsos Karian and Box.

The survey conducted by Ipsos Karian and Box showed the percentage of employees wanting to leave their jobs in Singapore is 9 percentage points higher than the global average, with the intent to leave highest among young workers, aged 18 to 24.

Only three in five workers said they were proud to work for their employers, which is at least 14 percentage points lower than the global average.

Employees point to pay and benefits (45%) as their top consideration in wanting to shift jobs in the next two years, followed by workload, work-life balance and them feeling unappreciated at work (32%). 

Lack of career progression, behaviour of managers and lack of motivation are also some of the strong push factors for workers to quit their jobs.

When seeking for their next employer, two thirds of Singapore workers said salary and benefits are their top priority, followed by flexible working hours and career development.

“This study highlights the need by Singapore employers to tackle young or new starter attrition, and the associated costs,” said Ghassan Karian, chief executive officer of Ipsos Karian and Box. “There is also a need to deepen the experience of an open, trusting and listening culture.”

The study polled 1,000 employees across the city-state in December to assess the latest workplace trends.