Just 9% here passionate about their firm, committed to work, says global study
By Toh Yong Chuan, The Straits Times, 6 Dec 2013
THREE in four workers here feel unmotivated and are "sleepwalking" through their work day, according to a survey conducted by Gallup.
And what is more startling in the survey findings is that one in seven are so unhappy that they are "more or less out to damage their company" through acts like malingering or even stealing.
"Close to two million people (in Singapore) are just showing up at work every day, doing what they need to do, but not feeling emotionally invested in their companies," said Gallup's Singapore and South-east Asia manager Leong Chee Tung, who presented the findings at a talk yesterday.
In contrast, only fewer than one in 10 workers here are "engaged" at work, that is, they feel passionate about their company and are committed to their work.
In the poll of some 600 Singapore workers conducted last year, respondents were asked a series of questions. These include whether their bosses had praised them for doing good work or talked to them about their career progression.
The Singapore survey was part of a global study of 142 countries.
The ratio of "disengaged workers" here - 76 per cent - was one of the highest in the world. Singapore fared worse than countries such as the United States (52 per cent) and Britain (57 per cent).
Similarly, the ratio of "engaged workers" here - 9 per cent - also paled in comparison to the global average of 13 per cent.
Mr Leong said the findings should be a cause for concern for employers as disengaged staff affect company productivity and performance.
They should therefore take concrete steps to engage their staff, he added. Among the things that firms can do is to hire or assign managers who can motivate workers to perform better, Gallup said in its report.
The findings came as a surprise to human resource consultants.
"I believe that the majority of the employees are aligned with their companies in Singapore, thereby driving our GDP growth. Our growth cannot be premised on a weak workforce," said Mr David Leong, managing director of recruitment firm PeopleWorldwide Consulting.
"I believe that the majority of the employees are aligned with their companies in Singapore, thereby driving our GDP growth. Our growth cannot be premised on a weak workforce," said Mr David Leong, managing director of recruitment firm PeopleWorldwide Consulting.
Given the tight labour market here, he added it is unlikely that firms would risk losing their workers by not engaging them.
Mr Kurt Wee, the newly appointed president of the Association of Small and Medium Enterprises, said bosses must take the initiative in the engagement process. "Workers look to their bosses for leadership and bosses must show by example that they value their workers."
The Gallup findings struck a chord with former security guard Vincent Pereira, 40, who worked for two security firms in the last nine months and resigned from both because he felt he was mistreated. "The firms did not care about our health, delayed paying salaries and treated us like dirt," he said. "Who will want to work for companies like that?"
JUST SHOWING UP
Close to two million people are just showing up at work every day, doing what they need to do, but not feeling emotionally invested in their companies.
- Gallup's Singapore and South-east Asia manager Leong Chee Tung
- Gallup's Singapore and South-east Asia manager Leong Chee Tung
4 REASONS WORKERS ARE NOT ENGAGED
1 Not having proper equipment to do their work
2 Not receiving recognition or praise for doing good work
3 Not developing close friendships at the workplace
4 Not getting advice about career progression
3 MEASURES BOSSES CAN TAKE
1 Hire or assign managers who can engage staff
2 Help staff discover their strengths and develop them
3 Pay attention to their physical and mental health. Encourage them to develop healthier lifestyle habits such as exercising and having a proper diet
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