Singapore employers and employees differ on workplace flexibility, Indeed study shows

• In retail sector, 42% of employees perceive workplace flexibility
• 85% find flexibility important, exceeding the global average of 66%

A recent report by leading global matching and hiring platform, Indeed, highlights a growing mismatch between what employers believe about workplace flexibility and what employees actually experience. 

Titled "Beyond 9 to 5: The Future of Flexibility in Work," the report unveiled at Indeed FutureWorks Singapore among HR leaders, reveals that this mismatch is most noticeable in the retail industry. 

While 83% of employers think their workplaces support flexible arrangements, only 61% of employees feel the same way. The study also finds that 85% of employees consider flexibility to be important, which is higher than the global average of 66%. This suggests that many employees in Singapore value flexible work options, Indeed said.

Different perspectives by industry 

The retail sector has the largest mismatch, where only 42% of employees feel their workplace offers flexibility compared to 80% of employers who think so. Other industries like construction, real estate, hospitality, professional services, and technology also show significant differences in how employees and employers view flexible work options, the report indicated.

Preferred flexibility: Hybrid 

The most favoured flexible arrangement is hybrid work, chosen by 42% of employees in Singapore. The report also shows that employers mainly offer hybrid (48%), flexible hours (44%), and remote work (19%) as flexibility options.

Benefits and challenges 

Flexible work arrangements come with advantages and challenges, with employers seeing benefits in terms of staff retention, talent attraction, and increased productivity. Additionally, employees value better work-life balance and increased productivity as the top benefits, however, some challenges include communication difficulties when working remotely and concerns about maintaining a shared team culture.

Implications and recommendations 

The report suggests that understanding employees' needs and preferences is crucial for building an inclusive work culture. It said employers should consider offering flexible arrangements that suit both parties. Both employers and employees acknowledge the importance of flexibility, and aligning their perspectives can lead to positive outcomes for everyone. Therefore, as workplaces evolve, prioritising flexibility can help attract, retain, and empower talent, ultimately benefiting both employees and businesses.

Karthik Sudhakar (pic), Strategy & Operations lead, Indeed Singapore said flexible work arrangements can be beneficial for both employers and employees, but it's important to get alignment on what works best for each party. 

“Employees should be able to take advantage of flexible work without being penalised, and employers should prioritise flexibility to attract and retain talent. Ultimately, the right flexible work arrangement is one that meets the needs of both the employee and the employer,” he added. 

More information on "Beyond 9 to 5: The Future of Flexibility in Work," can be accessed here.