APAC workforce eager for ongoing flexibility and a focus on personal wellbeing

According to new research by a global provider of digital learning, training, and talent solutions, Skillsoft, nine in ten workers across APAC are against a return to ‘normal’ working life.The study showed that APAC’s workforce appears more concerned about their own well-being at this time, with 27 percent of workers ranking health and safety as the number one issue they want business leaders to be prioritising.  

The study that surveyed more than 2,300 workers or people looking for work across Australia, Malaysia, and Singapore, examined employee expectations in a post-COVID workplace and found that 89 percent want at least one COVID-19 practice adopted permanently in their day-to-day lives. On average, just 11 percent of respondents are happy to return to how things were.  

The top practices that workers want to see established permanently are flexibility in their working hours (59 percent) and working from home (58 percent), with almost half wanting more time dedicated to their physical and mental well-being (47 percent) and increased family time (47 percent). 

Interestingly, the study found that more than four in ten respondents are eager for a reduction in unnecessary work meetings (45 percent) and fewer outside commitments (43 percent). 38 percent want more online professional development and learning opportunities. 

Delving deeper into the diversity aspect of this study, it was revealed that women are more likely than their male counterparts to want more time spent on their physical and mental well-being (51 percent versus 43 percent) and fewer outside meetings commitments (48 percent compared to 38 percent). It was also noteworthy that the younger workforce is more likely than their older counterparts to want increased family time (57 percent among 18-24 years, versus 47 percent for 50-64 years and just 37 percent for 65+).

It was also revealed that close to one third (31 percent) of respondents also want to see less business travel adopted permanently. 

Other important issues for workforces in Australia, Singapore, and Malaysia are job security and work/life balance with more than half (56 percent respectively) ranking these issues in their top three to be prioritized. Only 12 percent rank innovation among their top three. 

Rosie Cairnes, Vice President, Skillsoft APAC stated that, “It’s very interesting to see the emergence of a more inward mindset among workers across APAC - whether it is deciding when and how to work, prioritising family time over work and travel, concern for personal health, or taking charge of their own professional development. There is a resounding rejection of the old order. 

“The COVID period has created a trend that extends beyond flexible workplaces, toward genuine self-care. For companies to reach the other side of this pandemic in a good place, employee well-being and wellness must become a permanent focus, not just something that gets addressed during crisis.” 

The report also showed the top two issues the APAC workforce wants their employers to support the most are offering flexible work for parents of both genders (38 percent) and hiring and supporting more older workers (33 percent). 

“Across APAC there is a strong push for policies and practices that promote greater gender, age, and racial balance–and this push is only going to grow louder as more young people enter the workforce. Organizations that rethink their hiring and policies and focus their future learning and development in these areas stand to benefit hugely in terms of available talent, employee engagement, and retention,” shares Cairnes