Where does the “Work‑from‑Home” trend stand in Singapore?
After all the lockdowns, we’d expect “WFH” to be the new normal, right? Well, AsiaOne’s latest poll suggests otherwise.
Three‑Quarters, Sort of
- 35 % of respondents say they can’t survive without working from home.
Yep, that’s our “I’d survive if I never hit the office” crowd. - Meanwhile, 38 % want the flexibility—about 10 WFH days per month (roughly 2½ days a week).
That’s the “I’ll tolerate an office day if there’s a good coffee machine” tribe.
Survey Snapshot
The data comes from 1,253 Singapore‑based readers surveyed between Aug 18 and 25 of this year—all about job and career attitudes.
What It Means for the Future
It turns out that flexible working isn’t a one‑size‑fits‑all sale‑pitch. Whether you’re a WFH devotee or a go‑to‑office regular, the next generation of employers will have to offer a mix that keeps both sides smiling.
Men more willing to forgo WFH
Why Many Men Say They’re Fine Without Home‑Office Life
Surprisingly, the recent survey found that men were 15.2 % more likely to say they can live without the perks of working from home (WFH). Some say it could be tied to women shouldering heavier household and childcare duties—maybe the opposite holds for men, or maybe it’s just a generational thing.
“I Love a Change of Scene, but Don’t Want It Too Long”
Ricky Lim, 43 and a business‑development guru, told AsiaOne:
I think it’s nice to have WFH every now and then to recalibrate, but if it’s too long it may be disruptive to work projects due to the need for face‑to‑face discussions.
He’s a firm believer in mixing the two worlds—just enough remote working to keep things fresh, but not so much that teamwork drags.
Meet Tania (not her real name) – the Pro‑Office Switcher
41‑year‑old Tania, a tech business analyst, isn’t hung up on WFH because she has a helper to look after her elderly dad. “I prefer to work in the office because I can focus better and then I’m able to fully relax when I get home,” she says. Her take? The office fuels productivity, and the home is a safe haven.
The Truth About Youth and Remote Work
Believed by many, the younger folks do absolutely love the idea of flexible work. The data backs that up: the youngest cohort—those who graduated and entered the job market more recently—were the least likely to think they could do without WFH. In fact:
- Those 55 + who said they could live without remote work made up the largest chunk of the “yes” group (36.8 %).
- Those aged 25‑34 were the most attached to remote flexibility, with only 29.8 % saying they could do without it.
In short, age, responsibilities, and the occasional office atmosphere all play a part in how people feel about working from home. And apparently, men feel a bit more comfortable ditching the remote life—maybe because they get fewer duties pulling them back to the kitchen.
It’s not all about the money
Why Work‑Life Balance Beats the Paycheck
Think money is the ultimate driver? Think again. Big survey results reveal that people are more tuned in to how a job lets them breathe than its bank‑statement glow.
Work‑Life > Wallet
- 60.6 % say a job’s work‑life balance is the main reason they’d pick it and stay glued to it.
- 54.2 % still lean on pay and perks, but it’s a close second.
What CEOs Need to Know
Retention isn’t just about nailing a big salary. It’s about hitting that sweet spot where employees can juggle deadlines with dinner dates, Netflix binges, or a spontaneous bike ride.
In short: Put sanity first, and the rest will fall into place.
Work‑Life Balance: The Global MVP Across Ages
Edmund Chua, the brain behind AsiaOne’s Consumer Insights and Analytics Office, pointed out that work‑life balance outshines even the shiny perks of pay and benefits for people over 25. “All these folks want more than just a fat paycheck—they want a life outside the office cabinet,” he remarked.
Family’s Got The Power Play
Lim echoes the same sentiment. “We work to make our home better,” he says. “But that doesn’t mean we trade mercy for the office grind. Balance still matters.”
Personal Passion Rocking Youthful Workforce
For the 25‑below crowd, personal interest topped the chart—57.3 % of respondents felt their choice of career boiled down to following what gets their heart racing.
Decoding “Good” Corporate Culture
- Women are 7.6 % more likely than men to consider organisational culture a key factor.
- In the older cohort (45‑54), a good boss is the lifeline to stellar culture.
- For the 25‑34 group, good colleagues are the spice that swirls a healthy workplace.
Career Satisfaction: A Roughly Half‑Half Split
47.7 % of respondents feel happy in their careers, 34 % are not, and the remaining 18.3 % stay indecisive. Interestingly, those over 55 cruise a 6.5 % higher satisfaction rate than the average.
Wrap‑Up
So, whether you’re chasing learning, climbing the ladder, or craving a killer office vibe, it turns out balance dominates the priority list. Keep your life loop tight, pick a career that fires you up, and always try to flavor both the office and the couch with good vibes.
For more insights on the Singapore workforce or to partner with AsiaOne’s digital media solutions, drop us an email at [email protected].
