How Singapore workers contend with rapid workplace changes
SINGAPORE – More work set at a faster pace?
In the age of AI, employees in Singapore are facing an increasing workload amid the rapid pace of change, according to the latest findings from PwC.
Almost half of respondents (47%) surveyed by the firm said they are confronting major shifts in the way they work. Meanwhile, two-thirds (68%) noted an increase in the rate of change in their workplace just in the past 12 months, the results of PwC’s Global Workforce Hopes and Fears Survey showed.
Overall, 2 in 5 Singapore workers (44%) are taking on a higher workload now than they did last year. The trend suggests that this acceleration in work practices coincides with an increase in the volume of assignments.
However, more than half of people also called out the uncertainty surrounding many of these changes. While most employers express optimism for their transformation projects in recent years, 54% of PwC’s respondents said they don’t understand the purpose of changes taking place. The firm calls this a “workforce caught between today and tomorrow”.
Singapore workers mull switching jobs
Despite growing pressures to keep pace with transformation, talent in Singapore are reportedly hopeful about new opportunities – even if it means changing jobs.
Over a third of workers (34%) are considering switching employers in the next 12 months, with 7 in 10 pointing to skills development opportunities as a top factor for their departure.
Those who are leaning towards changing jobs appear to be moving in step with changes in the skills economy. More than half of workers (55%) surveyed believe the skill requirements of their current role will shift in the next five years. As such, the option to change jobs or employers will likely open new horizons for them to develop their competencies.
The growing value of AI in the future of work
With a rising workload and a workplace constantly in flux, the emergence of AI is expected to ease the pressure on workers. In fact, 65% of PwC respondents are counting on AI tools to increase their efficiency, while nearly 60% are hopeful that possessing AI skills will help them command higher salaries.
More than 4 in 5 Singapore respondents also believe AI tools open up opportunities for workers to become more creative (84%) and produce high-quality work (83%) more than ever.
“As workers face heightened uncertainty, rising workloads and continue to face financial stress, they are prioritising skills growth and embracing new and emerging technologies such as GenAI to turbocharge their growth and accelerate their careers,” said Martijn Schouten, a Workforce Transformation Leader at PwC South East Asia Consulting, who commented on the report.
“The findings suggest that job satisfaction is no longer enough. Employees are placing an increased premium on skills growth in a climate characterised by constant technological change. Employers must ensure they are investing in their employees and technological platforms to mitigate employee pressures and retain the brightest talent.”
Singapore workers’ optimism for the future of work
Enthusiasm for AI usage isn’t just a matter of cutting workers loose from the burdens of modern work. A more crucial trend that analysts have observed in recent years is the use of AI as a stepping stone for workers to become even better in their profession.
Employees in Singapore (84%) believe AI sets the stage for them to sharpen their skills even further. This percentage is higher than the global average (76%) of people who are optimistic about AI-driven skills development.
“Beyond the ability to improve work efficiency and quality, Singapore employees are also optimistic about upskilling in GenAI because they see it as a pathway to higher salaries which can help alleviate cost of living pressures that they are feeling,” said Noel Goh, a Workforce Rewards Leader at PwC Singapore.
“This mindset is healthy for both the individual and the employers, and also beneficial in moving Singapore’s workforce up the productivity value chain. It is therefore critical for leaders to understand this mindset,” Goh said.