According to a JobStreet survey released on 29 Sep, Singaporeans are the unhappiest employees out of of seven Asian countries. Singapore only managed an average of 5.09 score out of a possible 10 in the Job Happiness Index. In contrast, workers in the Philippines were found to be the happiest, with an average score of 6.25.
The results came in after 67,764 participants from Singapore, Malaysia, the Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand, Hong Kong and Vietnam were surveyed in June. The average scores of the countries are:
- Philippines: 6.25
- Indonesia: 6.16
- Thailand: 5.74
- Hong Kong: 5.56
- Vietnam: 5.48
- Malaysia: 5.22
- Singapore: 5.09
The survey also asked respondents to predict how satisfied with their jobs will they be in six months. Indonesia topped this category at 6.58, while Singapore clocked it the lowest at 4.93. The Philippines ranked third with a rating of 6.18.
The survey also asked respondents to predict how satisfied with their jobs will they be in six months. Indonesia topped this category at 6.58, while Singapore clocked it the lowest at 4.93. The Philippines ranked third with a rating of 6.18. The survey further said that Singaporeans were the most pessimistic about their prospects in their existing jobs.
Among the Singaporean respondents top corporate executives were found to be the unhappiest with an average score of 4.4, while fresh graduates were the happiest employees with an average score of 5.3. Those working in the sciences, hotels and restaurants, as well as human resources were found to be the happiest employees.
Lack of management competency was the top reason cited by Singaporean respondents for being unhappy at work. The second biggest factor was the lack of promotions and career development, followed by poor training and development programmes.
Although rising unemployment and a slower economy may have a dampening effect on those surveyed, these factors were not included in the survey, said Chook Yuh Yng, country manager of JobsStreet.com Singapore.
“The number of job seekers is outnumbering vacancies by 100 to 93 for the first time in four years. On the other end of the spectrum, the happiest employees in the Philippines are enjoying stronger economic and job growth,” she said.
Singaporean respondents cited convenient work location, having good colleagues and company reputation as key factors underpinning job happiness. They also recommended getting a new job (30 per cent), a higher salary (19 per cent) and receiving recognition from one’s company (9 per cent) as ways to increase job happiness.