Shattering the glass ceiling: 3 in 10 workers in Singapore's boardrooms are women

But it still lags behind its Asian peers when it comes to diversity in the workplace.

The 2017 Hays Asia Salary Guide found out that Singapore firms are increasingly promoting diversity in the workplace in terms of hiring women in managerial positions.

The study reported that Singapore has increased the number of women in management roles from 27% to 31%. However, Hays noted that Singapore still lags behind other Asian markets in terms of gender diversity in the workplace.

"Women hold 35% of management roles in both Malaysia and mainland China and 33% of management roles in Hong Kong. Japan remains the poorest performer on gender with only 22% of its management roles held by women," Hays said.

The study pointed out that across all countries surveyed for the Guide, 52% of employers report having formal diversity policies and procedures in place but only 18% say their organisation adheres to these regulations “well” and a further 36% only “fairly well”.

Whilst managing director of Hays in Singapore Lynne Roeder applauds Singapore's efforts to promote diversity, he said the city-state can do better.

“Considering the challenges and opportunities expected this year, it is important employers in Singapore have the widest talent pool to choose from when filling roles, especially roles experiencing skills shortages,” Roeder noted.