A region-wide study highlights the impact of hustle culture on the mental well-being of Singapore’s workforce.
A comprehensive study titled ‘Hustle Culture’ has revealed that 52 percent of employees in Singapore report experiencing a poor quality of life, significantly higher than the 37 percent in Indonesia and 36 percent in the Philippines.
Conducted by Intellect and Milieu Insight, the survey encompassed 3,000 employees across Singapore, Indonesia, and the Philippines.
Interestingly, a similar study conducted in 2020 among over 2,000 Singaporeans indicated that 52 percent of those aged 16 to 24 embraced the notion of hustle culture, prioritizing hard work to advance their careers, noted Stephen Tracy, COO of Milieu Insight.
However, in just two years, the sentiment has shifted dramatically, leading many to reject the hustle culture entirely. Concepts like quiet quitting are gaining popularity, and unhealthy work behaviors are no longer tolerated as the norm.
Despite this recognition of the issues tied to hustle culture, the survey revealed that Singaporean workers still suffer from the poorest mental health, job satisfaction, and overall quality of life in the region.
Only 57 percent of Singaporeans rated their mental health as “good,” “very good,” or “excellent,” compared to 68 percent in Indonesia and 78 percent in the Philippines.
Even though Singapore employees work less or comparable hours to their regional peers, they report the lowest levels of engagement and job satisfaction.
In Singapore, only 42 percent of respondents indicated high engagement at work (scoring 8 or higher on a scale of 1 to 10), while 52 percent in Indonesia and 56 percent in the Philippines reported similarly high engagement levels.
The situation appears even more troubling, with 26 percent of Singaporean employees expressing dissatisfaction with their jobs, compared to 15 percent in Indonesia and 17 percent in the Philippines.
In Singapore, the relentless pressures of competition and consumerism—striving for better iPhones and BTOs—remain intense. The previous glorification of productivity and the “rise and grind” mentality have taken a toll on the workforce, particularly among younger employees.
Across the three nations, respondents aged 16 to 24 reported being driven by the “fear of not performing as well as their peers.” Thirty percent in Singapore, 20 percent in the Philippines, and 11 percent in Indonesia indicated this motivation.
Additionally, 50 percent of employees across the region reported feeling burnt out at least a few times each month, with 41 percent stating they “often” or “always” find themselves preoccupied with work.
The survey also highlighted that 30 percent of Singaporeans admitted to experiencing poor sleep quality (scoring 4 or below on a scale of 0 to 10), compared to 19 percent of Indonesian employees and 16 percent of Filipino employees.
These figures underscore the fact that while there is an acknowledgment of the issues linked to hustle culture, individuals remain inadequately equipped to manage its detrimental effects.
“Employees may equate their self-worth and identity with professional accomplishments, perpetuating the glorification of workaholism,” noted Dr. Oliver Suendermann, Clinical Director of Intellect.
While work is often considered in isolation, the study indicates the necessity of contextualizing work life, especially in light of significant events that can profoundly impact daily life.
Perhaps what Singapore employees need is emotional distance to provide perspective on work. At the very least, they should evaluate whether work-related activities genuinely represent the best use of their time.
This is not to imply that employers bear no responsibility in addressing workplace dissatisfaction. With increased dialogue in online spaces, managers should equip themselves with the necessary resources and tools to ensure employees can bring their authentic, well-rested selves to work.
“Two years later, I believe this survey illuminates how attitudes toward work have evolved and how the repercussions of the pandemic and other global challenges, such as inflation and an impending recession, may be affecting younger generations,” commented Stephen.
“This report represents our initial step towards a deeper understanding of ‘hustle culture’ and its implications for our local and regional communities,” asserted Theodoric Chew, CEO of Intellect.
