Singaporean employees feel disconnected at work

Over half of Singaporean employees “do not know what their company truly stands for or represents”, found a recent study by Zeno Group.

The study found that as many as 54% of employees question their company’s mission and values – the clear starting point for corporate behaviour and decision-making.

Alignment on values is critical, especially when balanced with the study’s findings that 70% of respondents consider their job “an important part of their identity”. At the same time, 87% globally say they want to work at a company where they “feel like part of a family.”  

The findings revealed demographic nuances as well. For example,

• employees with children were 37% more likely to be concerned about their connection to company values than non-parents
• millennials in management are 55% more likely to have concerns

New things to worry about
Zeno’s research also explored specific areas of concern in today’s workplace, based on prominent topics in the media. Respondents across all markets confirmed accelerating technology, work-life imbalance and information overload as major stressors in their jobs.

- Automation anxiety
Employees are worried that new technologies could put them out of work. The study found that 40 percent globally shared this concern. Singapore workers had the greatest level of concern at 59%.

- Work-life imbalance
Despite flexible workplaces, the concept of balance remains a mirage for many workers. Notably, across all markets, it’s millennials who are most concerned about the issue

- Information overload
As communication channels expand and volume grows, respondents say they have trouble keeping pace. In the US, for example, 44% of respondents are concerned about information overload – with millennial managers most concerned at 51%.

Along with their overall concern about these critical workplace issues, a majority of respondents globally believe their companies are “not making progress” on these issues.

Amid all these concerns, the research suggests that employees are not getting what they want from the boss – clear, relevant communications that will enable them to do their best.  

Only a third of respondents globally say their employers do an excellent/great job in empowering them to communicate about the company to others.

“On a more positive note, nearly 62% of employees globally say they would perform better if their bosses communicated more clearly,” said Mark Shadle, managing director at Zeno Global Corporate Affairs. “Moreover, 63% say they would perform better if their companies articulated values, strategy and direction more clearly.”