Singapore has the highest level of full-time employment in Asia, but employee engagement remains a challenge
Singapore has the highest percentage of adult citizens in full-time employment in Asia, found a recent global study by Gallup. However, organisations continue to struggle with engaging employees in their work.
Despite having 48% of Singaporeans employed in “good jobs”, or full-time roles, only 11% found their work engaging. The study excludes self-employed professionals.
This is a cause for concern as, according to Gallup’s research, teams with highly engaged members are on average 17% more productive than those with lower levels of engagement.
“People who are engaged at work or, in other words, have a ‘great job’, can do what they do best, have the equipment to do their jobs effectively, and have a strong sense of mission and purpose in their work,” said Jon Clifton, managing partner at Gallup.
Singapore’s low levels of employee engagement can thus negatively impact employers and employees, as productivity and retention figures lower, in addition to leaving workers feeling depressed.
The report added that boosting engagement should be a top priority for business leaders in Singapore if they want to fully develop their human capital.
Highly engaged employees have also been shown to drive performance and innovation, as well as help the organisation move forward.
Singapore was top five in the international list of countries with workers in full-time roles.
The city-state was also the top Asian country in the rankings at 48% of citizens in full-time jobs. Followed in second place is Hong Kong at 43%, and Taiwan at 42%.
Overall, United Arab Emirates had led the list with 69% of its adult population in “good jobs”.