Nearly 3 in 5 Singaporeans want an employer who supports DEI

More than half of employees (57%) in Singapore believe it is important to work for a company that supports diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) - a sentiment that resonates stronger for Gen Z teams, according to a new report.

Randstad's 2023 Employer Brand surveyed 2,753 respondents across the country to determine talent expectations. Among Gen Z respondents, 63% said it’s important that their employer "actively supports equity, diversity, and inclusion." This is also the case for 59% of Millennials and 55% of Gen X employees.

These findings come as more Gen Z employees join the labour force. Market research company McCrindle previously estimated that they would make up 27% of the workforce by 2025. This new breed of employees wants to feel seen and valued for their strengths and contributions, according to Jaya Dass, Managing Director of Permanent Recruitment at Randstad Singapore.

"Today's young workforce is driven by a powerful personal agenda - they want to feel a sense of belonging and work for an employer that aligns with their values. If they don't feel included at the workplace, they will take the initiative to look elsewhere," Dass said in a statement.

Supporting LGBTQIA+ staff

On Pride month, the report also found that 18% of respondents disagreed that their employer supports the protections and inclusion of LGBTQIA+ employees.

While another 42% agreed that their employer support the inclusion of LGBTQIA+, the report said employers can still "step up to support LGBTQIA+ inclusion efforts."

Meanwhile, other DEI values that employees agree with include:

• My employer offers support for mental health and well-being (66%)
• My employer has an equal pay policy regarding gender and ethnicity (63%)
• My employer is aligned with my personal values (62%)
• My employer takes action to limit its impact on the environment (51%)

Employers who want to connect to their talent at a "deeper level" need to put DEI efforts at the heart of their talent recruitment strategy, Dass advised.

"By actively listening to their workforce through internal engagement initiatives and regularly collecting feedback on employee sentiment, employers have the opportunity to create a holistic workplace culture that helps them attract and retain the talent they value," she said.

Good workplace relationships

Meanwhile, the findings of Randstad's survey also revealed that employees are putting high importance on having good relationships in the workplace. For them, the top five non-monetary benefits include:

• Good relationship with my colleagues (93%)
• Good relationship with my managers (94%)
• Convenient location (93%)
• Flexible work arrangement (93%)
• More autonomy to perform in my role (92%)

The list reflects how employees want to work in a "harmonious workplace" where they are treated with respect and can build meaningful relationships, according to Dass.

Data from Deloitte recently revealed that only less than half of employees across the world feel comfortable about being out about their sexual orientation (43%) and gender identity (47%) in the workplace. An even smaller number of respondents feel comfortable sharing them with their direct manager (37%), according to Deloitte's data.

"The onus is on employers to create a positive work environment characterised by trust, so that employees can work towards a shared goal together," Dass said.

"Work and life have become so deeply intertwined today that employers need to be able to extend care from the workplace to their employees' personal lives and help them maintain a positive life inside and outside of work. Having the opportunity to work and grow alongside colleagues who celebrate their wins allows people to experience greater joy and purpose at work."