Work-life balance in Singapore increases by 16%

78% of survey respondents state that they achieve more at work now than in 2010, all thanks to good work-life balance.

As workers report being happier, their achievements also increase; does this prove that good work-life balance is necessary for business growth?

According to the latest outcome of the Regus Work-Life Balance Index, work-life balance in Singapore has improved. More business people in the country declare that despite working harder than ever before, they are enjoying their jobs more. A majority of the respondents also feel that they have enough time to spend at home or on personal pursuits.

The Index calibrates job satisfaction indicators and respondents’ views on their overall work-life balance with data on real-life practice such as working hours and commuting. It registered a 16% rise in Singaporean work-life balance between 2010 and 2012.

Among the key findings are, one, the current Singaporean Index score is 126, just above the global average of 124. About 70% of workers enjoy work more and around 56% of respondents are satisfied with the amount of time they spend at home or on personal pursuits. 

78% of those surveyed also state that they achieve more at work now than in 2010, confirming the connection between a good work-life balance and productivity. Over a third or 39% of respondents say that businesses have tried to shorten employee commute times acknowledging the strain a lengthy journey in and out of work can have.

Jaime Lim, Consulting Director of People Search Singapore comments: “A good work-life balance is essential for staff to live a healthy and happy life, but this index breaks new ground in showing that it is also necessary for business growth. This survey finally provides firm evidence connecting productivity with a better, more flexible lifestyle and sounds a call for all businesses to urgently look at their own working practices, and turn them into productivity and employee motivation strategy. Today's business leaders have identified how staff feel empowered when they are trusted to make business decisions, especially when this trust is extended to making flexible working arrangements. The empowerment leads to increased productivity and employee engagement which deliver better business results. ”

William Willems, Regional VP of Regus for South East Asia and Pacific comments: “The launch of our new Work-Life balance Index brings the encouraging news that workers state that their work-life harmony is improving. After the initial market free-fall prior to 2010 and the global economic meltdown that ensued, it is not surprising that workers report feeling happier now. For example, worries about job security have decreased from the start of the downturn in some sectors and recent Regus research confirms that global business confidence is stabilising. The survey also importantly confirms that happier employees are also more productive with a convincing majority of respondents declaring that they are achieving more than in 2010."

“As economic conditions improve and the job market becomes more dynamic, businesses wanting to retain and hire top talent cannot afford to ignore the value that a reputation for affording a good work-life balance can bring. In addition to this, businesses have become increasingly results-oriented during the downturn and are everywhere seen to be opting for less traditional working practices and instead choosing to increase efficiency by giving workers more flexibility. One such measure that is becoming increasingly popular is helping workers to reduce tiring and unproductive commute time through the introduction of more flexible working practices."

“Whether these measures enable workers to travel out of peak time, to work from locations closer to home or to spend more time with their families, there is no doubt that empowering workers to work their way is being acknowledged as an ever more important factor in promoting productivity and well-being.”