Singaporean workers aren't craving a bonus. In fact, money is the last thing on their minds
With four-day work weeks getting traction across the globe, a new report has revealed that Singapore-based employees also prefer them over increased salaries and bonuses. In a report from recruitment agency Reeracoen Singapore, three-quarters of their respondents said they also want a four-day work week with 10 hours a day.
This, along with positive work cultures, were preferred more by employees over increased salaries and bonuses, according to the report. The findings come as more employers find it difficult to find and retain staff due to changes brought about by the pandemic.
Kenji Naito, chief executive officer of Reeracoen, said in a statement that flexible work hours may be the solution to the challenges faced by employers in recruitment and retention as of late.
"Offering workers flexible working arrangements may be a good acquisition and retention strategy for companies in this global war for talent," said Naito in a statement.
Reeracoen was one of the employers in Singapore that also implemented flexible work arrangements in their office, with Naito saying it allowed them to hire "permanent part-time workers."
"By shaping our Singapore business model around the needs of our staff, we were able to hire permanent part-time with specialised skills, without negatively impacting our operating costs," said the CEO.
Read more: Four-day work week: The good and the bad for Southeast Asians
Kosuke Soejima, Reeracoen's regional general manager, also described the outcome of their remote work programme as a "win-win," adding that they were able to tap on more talent because of it.
"Our results show that flexible working hours are a win-win solution for both employers and employees," said Soejima in a statement.
"We were able to hire those who have been stay-at-home mums for many years or parents who require flexible working arrangements. These seasoned professionals gave up their career because they felt they had to choose between work and family."
According to the organisation, they implemented the policy to "lead by example," adding that they plan continue such work arrangement in the "interest of work-life harmony for all staff."
