Kelly Global Workforce Index™ finds Singaporean employees barely giving their bosses a passing grade
- Lowest rating in Asia-Pacific in terms of feeling efforts at work are being recognised and rewarded
- Overall employer grade 6.5 out of 10
- 41% of respondents say they have not been well-prepared by employers for the future
- Employees express the need for greater involvement from employers to achieve future success
Kelly Global Workforce Index, an annual survey conducted by global workforce solutions leader, Kelly Services®, found that Singapore’s employers have received a mixed report card, with slightly more than one-third of all survey respondents saying that their bosses have done a good job in preparing them for future success, and less than half (46%) say that their efforts at work are recognised and rewarded – the lowest figure out of all Asia-Pacific.
When asked to rate their bosses, Singapore’s employees have delivered just a passing grade for their performance, with a score of 6.5 out of 10. This total was slightly more than China (6.4) and Hong Kong (5.8) but less than the rest of Asia-Pacific surveyed, including India (7), Thailand (6.9), Indonesia (6.8), and Malaysia (6.7).
A total of 37% of respondents say that their bosses have done a good job in preparing them for future success (the only lower APAC country response was China), with 41% saying they have not been well-prepared, and 22% are uncertain. Only half of all those surveyed would be willing to recommend their current employer to a friend or acquaintance.
These findings are part of the Kelly Global Workforce Index, which obtained the views of approximately 97,000 people in 30 countries, including approximately 900 in Singapore. Conducted four times in a year with varying themes focused on revealing opinions about work and the workplace from a generational viewpoint, the most recent survey focused on employers’ effectiveness.
“Employees’ views of an organisation carry a lot of credibility and send a clear signal about how people are managed and the best places to work. They have a significant impact on the ability of a business to attract and retain talent,” said Melissa Norman, Managing Director Singapore and Malaysia, Kelly Services.
“Employers are under intense scrutiny from a range of stakeholders, and employees are increasingly making judgments about their effectiveness. Surveys such as this help provide employers greater insight in to addressing employee concerns,” Ms Norman concludes.
Results of the survey in Singapore show:
- Almost half of respondents (48%) describe their organisation’s leadership culture as either “empowering” or “inclusive”, but a total of 30 percent describe it as “authoritative” or “oppressive”.
- Slightly less than half (46%) say that their efforts at work are recognised and rewarded, the lowest of all Asia-pacific. The rest of the neighbouring country percentages were as follows: India leading on 64%, Thailand 61%, Indonesia 59%, Hong Kong 50%, and China and Malaysia both 48%.
- The most important quality viewed in a good boss is leadership style, nominated by 31%, ahead of vision and clear direction (23%), and communication style (18%).
- Interestingly, both Gen Y (aged 18-29) and Gen X (aged 30-47) agree that Gen X make the best leaders, but baby boomers (aged 48-65) strongly believe that their own generation are the superior business managers.
For more information about these survey results and other key global findings, please visit the Kelly Global Workforce Index.
About the Kelly Global Workforce Index™
The Kelly Global Workforce Index is an annual survey revealing opinions about work and the workplace from a generational viewpoint. Approximately 97,000 people from the Americas, APAC and EMEA responded to the 2011 survey with results published on a quarterly basis. Kelly Services was the recipient of a MarCom Platinum Award in 2010 and a Gold Award in 2009 for the Kelly Global Workforce Index in the Research/Study category.
About Kelly Services®
Kelly Services, Inc. (NASDAQ: KELYA, KELYB) is a leader in providing workforce solutions. Kelly® offers a comprehensive array of outsourcing and consulting services as well as world-class staffing on a temporary, contract and permanent basis. Serving clients around the globe, Kelly provides employment to more than 530,000 employees annually. Revenue in 2010 was $5 billion.