Few workers 'very satisfied' with level of meaning at work

Almost all Southeast Asian workers prioritize finding meaning in their work, with a significant percentage considering career changes to achieve this goal, finds a release by job platform Jobs_that_makesense Asia and Manpower.

The report, titled The Quest for Meaning at Work, marks the first Southeast Asia-focused research survey on the pursuit of meaning in the workplace. It surveyed 2,023 participants from six key Southeast Asian countries, encompassing both working adults and tertiary students poised to enter the workforce.

Ninety-eight per cent of participants surveyed said that having meaning at work was important to them, but only one in five (21%) of SEA respondents indicated they currently feel “very satisfied” with their current level of meaning at work.

More than half of SEA respondents expect their companies to take a leading role in promoting sustainability initiatives. They also advocate for the creation of more positions dedicated to Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) responsibilities and the provision of learning programs for employees that focus on societal impact and sustainability.

Southeast Asians looking for purpose at work

While the majority (86%) of SEA respondents believe that any job can contribute to the betterment of society and the planet, 53% of them are contemplating a career change to actively pursue this purpose. Impressively, 84% of those who have already made the transition report high levels of satisfaction.

Respondents expect their companies and employers to balance improvements in workplace conditions with a commitment to broader societal well-being.

How? The report found this includes:

• Enhancing working conditions with flexible hours, comprehensive health insurance and equal pay (74%)
• Advocacy for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI)
• Advocacy for other social causes (72%).

Priorities in evaluating job opportunities

CEO of Jobs_that_makesense Asia, Léa Klein, emphasized the evolving landscape of sustainability in the workforce, stating, "Over the past three years, we've witnessed a significant shift in this area."

She highlighted the increasing integration of sustainable practices into various job roles and emphasized the importance of accelerating momentum towards sustainability and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) practices.

"To meet our region's sustainability targets by 2030, we must accelerate the momentum we are seeing in this space," Klein remarked. "By mainstreaming sustainability across all levels of companies, these positions will become the new norm, ensuring the success of the entire region."