Only 6% of employees polled felt they lacked the flexibility to enjoy both
By Yasmine Yahya And Amelia Tan, The Straits Times, 19 Jul 2014
By Yasmine Yahya And Amelia Tan, The Straits Times, 19 Jul 2014
However, data from the survey shows that this contentment comes not from any major lasting shifts in office culture or practices, but from ad hoc benefits.
The poll, commissioned by The Straits Times and Employer Alliance (EA), took in responses from 1,000 employees and 500 employers across industries in Singapore.
"It's the most in-depth survey on work-life integration in Singapore. Most surveys on the topic would just ask about whether the workers are satisfied or not, but this one drills deep into societal norms, desires and expectations," noted Ms Sharon Kok, the director of Degree Census Consultancy, which conducted the survey.
Of the employees polled, 82 per cent said they felt they were generally in control of their work-life arrangement and only 6 per cent said they did not have the flexibility to integrate the needs of their work with their personal and family lives.
Yet, each structured flexi-work programme such as job sharing or working from home had only ever been tapped by a fifth of the respondents or fewer. Instead, the top two most commonly used "work-life initiatives" were emergency leave and taking time off at short notice."
When asked which were the initiatives they found most useful, these two were again voted top.
EA chairman Claire Chiang said these findings give the lie to recent polls that have painted Singaporean workers as being miserable and disengaged. Rather, this poll shows they "love to work".
"Usually when employees are disengaged, it's not because of the work itself but because of their supervisors. If their leaders are good, working hours will not be so much of an issue."
But at the Tafep CEOs' Breakfast and Dialogue yesterday where the survey results were unveiled, Guardian Health and Beauty chief executive Sarah Boyd told some 60 business heads present: "I think for me, the ability to take time off at short notice or emergency leave shouldn't be considered a part of the frame of reference for work-life balance - it should be a basic human need... If Singaporeans were able to see what work-life balance and flexi-work means in other parts of the world, they would get a very different frame of reference for their decisions."To be sure, the survey indicates that despite their overall satisfaction, Singaporean workers, especially younger ones, do feel there is room for improvement.
Among all workers, 84 per cent said their personal well-being would be better if they could manage their work and personal lives more effectively. Two-thirds of workers aged 30 to 39 said they would consider leaving a firm that lacks flexi-work arrangements.
Of the 500 bosses polled, over 80 per cent said they felt work- life initiatives are important to improve employee satisfaction, raise productivity and retain talent.
In some cases, bosses are even more open-minded than staff seem to think. For instance, only 55 per cent felt that staff should be in the office during working hours versus 75 per cent of workers who felt they were expected to do so.
But bosses who want to implement structured flexi-work schemes said obstacles exist. Ms Boyd said her firm finds it tough as it does not have enough manpower. Others, like Gadgets.D. Legacy boss Ivan Choong, said employees sometimes have unreasonable expectations of flexi-work.
But IBM Singapore managing director Janet Ang had encouraging words. "I would be bluffing you if I tell you that 100 per cent of the time for every employee at IBM, I feel 100 per cent trust that they are doing their job (while on flexi-work). But I will have to tell you the culture grows. You've got to believe it, execute it, hold people accountable and see the delivery of the results and if all that works, you have to trust them."
SUPERVISORS COUNT
Usually when employees are disengaged, it's not because of the work itself but because of their supervisors. If their leaders are good, working hours will not be so much of an issue.
- Employer Alliance chairman Claire Chiang
- Employer Alliance chairman Claire Chiang
Key findings from the survey
- 82 per cent of Singaporean employees feel they are generally in control of their work-life arrangement.
- 87 per cent of men would be more productive at work if they had the flexibility to integrate work and personal life - versus 78 per cent of women.
- 91 per cent of the youngest workers aged 20 to 29 would be attracted to work for companies that support them in managing work and family commitments, the highest among all age groups.
- 60 per cent of employees aged 30 to 39, and 58 per cent of mothers with young children, would consider leaving a company that lacked flexi-work arrangements.
- 25 per cent of employees have concerns about using flexi-work arrangements, such as negative comments from their supervisor or receiving unfavourable assignments.
5 things bosses and staff don't see eye to eye on when it comes to work-life balance
Survey shows gaps exist in understanding of key issues such as time spent in the office
By Amelia Tan, The Sunday Times, 20 Jul 2014
Survey shows gaps exist in understanding of key issues such as time spent in the office
By Amelia Tan, The Sunday Times, 20 Jul 2014
Nearly one in two bosses do not expect employees to clock the full eight hours in office. Yet most workers believe they have to.
And while bosses frown on employees bringing work home, they also want them available when duty calls after office hours.
A new survey on work-life integration commissioned by The Straits Times and work-life advocacy group Employer Alliance has revealed that employer and employees are often not on the same page on several key issues. The study, conducted by market analysis firm Degree Census, involved 1,000 employees and 500 employers here. The Sunday Times highlights five gaps in understanding between bosses and staff.
Think twice if you feel clocking eight hours every day in the office makes you a star employee.
Of the bosses surveyed, 45 per cent said their staff did not need to be in the office during business hours, or were neutral about the issue.
But workers disagreed, with three in four believing that they are expected to be around during office hours.
Human resource experts said this mismatch is because workers believe that putting in long hours is a way of showing commitment.
Ms Cheryl-Ann Szetoh, a manager at human resource firm RobertWalters, said: "The joke going around offices is that if you leave at 6pm, you are taking half a day off. Workers will avoid going home early to avoid being seen as skiving."
2 Bosses are flexible, or are they?
Employers believe they give plenty of freedom but some workers disagree. Overall, 80 per cent of bosses said they allow staff to manage their time as long as targets are met.
The sentiment is even stronger among chief executives and those in senior management positions, of whom 94 per cent said workers should have flexibility.
But only 76 per cent of workers feel that their bosses give them such flexibility.
Some employees also point out that they hesitate to use flexi-work schemes because they do not want to leave a poor impression.
Senior business analyst Esther Wong, for instance, was unsure about asking her boss to let her work from home to care for her three young children when their pre-school was closed for a day.
"I had just recently joined the company. I did not want my boss to feel that I was not serious about work," the 38-year-old said.
"In the end I went ahead and my boss said yes. But it was still difficult."
Mr Mark Hall, the vice-president and country manager of recruitment company Kelly Services, said employees can build trust in their employers by providing regular updates on the progress of their work.
"This helps them reach a position where they are given the responsibility to plan their own time."
3 Bringing work home a no-no
Working till the wee hours, either at home or in the office, has been the norm for lawyer Sharon for the past six years.
That was why the 30-year-old, who declined to give her full name, was surprised when told that just 6 per cent of bosses surveyed said their staff should take work home after office hours.
Chief executives and senior managers preferred if no one did work at home.
In contrast, 13 per cent of workers said they are expected to bring back work, with the proportion increasing to 18 per cent for higher-skilled employees.
The reason why they "work- round-the-clock" is that their bosses are doing the same. "My boss would reply my e-mail at 3am. How can you not work when your bosses are working too?" said Ms Sharon, who quit her job at a big law firm earlier this year.
Bosses admitted it is up to them to draw the line.
Madam Hasliza Hashim, the managing director of training course provider N-Rich, lets her staff plan their time according to their needs. They can also work where it is convenient, including at public library work spaces which the company rents from workplace solutions firm Regus. However, work starts at 9am and stops at 4pm sharp. "I tell my clients to contact me and not my staff if they need to reach us after work hours. I don't want them to be disturbed," the 32-year-old said.
4 Duty after work
While bosses do not want their employees bringing work home, 54 per cent feel they should be able to call on them after office hours if there is a need.
However, many workers will likely balk at this suggestion. Only 37 per cent said they are expected to meet business needs regardless of time.
One boss who feels it is only right that workers chip in is 38-year-old Tan Wei Leng, South-east Asia head of marketing at video-conferencing tech firm Polycom.
"Bosses give workers flexibility. So workers need to be there for the company too," she said. Her company allows staff to work from home, take a few hours off to settle family matters or even go to the gym during office hours. In return, staff work on weekends and at night when necessary.
However there are bosses who go overboard, said investment banker Andy, who declined to give his full name. He said his boss has driven to his house on a Sunday morning to pass him work.
"I had already worked from Monday to Saturday and was hoping to sleep in," said the 29-year-old who quit earlier this year.
5 The office grapevine
5 The office grapevine
Most bosses - 73 per cent - feel they have a role in educating workers on work-life integration policies. But 71 per cent of workers find out by word of mouth instead of official channels.
Human resource experts say some workers may not feel comfortable approaching their bosses and rely on the grapevine instead.
However, they warned against this because the information may get distorted.
Mr David Leong, managing director of recruitment firm PeopleWorldwide, added that human resource departments in some companies are reluctant to inform workers on flexi-work options because their work will get harder.
"Tracking the performance and paying a worker on flexi-work is more complex than dealing with full-time workers," he said. "We need better trained human resource staff and more approachable bosses."