Flexibility gaps drive hybrid work dissatisfaction in Singapore

Generational differences, office space issues, and work-life balance are key factors.

Despite global trends showing that 87% of employees are content with hybrid working arrangements, Singapore lags behind with only 78% satisfaction—the lowest globally, according based on Unispace's third annual Global Workspace Report, “From Restrictions to Resilience.”

According to experts, several key factors are contributing to this dissatisfaction, including mismatches in work-from-home preferences, office design limitations, and work-life balance issues.

Jianhan Qiu, Principal of Strategy at Unispace Asia, attributed the dissatisfaction to three main drivers: the gap between preferred and actual office days, generational differences, and office space limitations. 

"We currently spend up to 3.7 days in the office, while we only prefer to come in 2.6 days," Qiu explained. He also highlighted generational differences, noting that employees aged 55 and above tend to work more in the office compared to younger Gen Z employees, which can create pressure for younger colleagues.

"There is a lack of space to be charged within the office, especially among younger employees," Qiu said. He added that the challenges in Singapore are more process-driven compared to other regions, where social connection issues dominate.

Saikat Chatterjee, Senior Director in the Gartner HR Practice, agrees, adding that the loss of work-life balance is a major reason why many Singaporean employees are dissatisfied with hybrid work.

He said that employees are eager to retain the autonomy they experienced during the pandemic, but returning to the office has been marred by negative emotions, distractions, and logistical challenges, such as booking meeting rooms and dealing with forgotten technologies.

Chatterjee also noted that the return-to-office mandates have not necessarily led to improved performance or engagement. In fact, they may have caused negative effects, especially for women, millennials, and high-performing employees. He warned that these groups pose the highest flight risk if changes are not made.

One potential solution to address this growing dissatisfaction is to introduce more flexibility. Qiu emphasised a recent survey showing that 87% of employees would spend more time in the office if flexible start times were provided, and 92% of Singaporean employees are open to trying a four-day work week. Improving workplace design, such as adding quiet areas for focused work and incorporating natural light, could also significantly enhance employee satisfaction.

Chatterjee stressed the importance of involving employees in shaping hybrid work policies, noting that "organisations need to engage and involve employees in co-developing their hybrid policy." He also calls for a more customised approach, as the needs of different functions and departments vary.