Singapore’s workforce is bracing for major changes in the way people work in the coming years.
A recent survey conducted by Reeracoen and Rakuten Insight Global, which included participants across different industries and generations, revealed concerns related to the impact of automation and the importance of upskilling to remain competitive.
The survey also showed that 45.8% of Gen Zs and Gen Y (Millennials) showed a strong preference for remote work, with 36.5% “foreseeing workspaces evolving to be more collaborative and flexible.” Meanwhile, 42.7% of older generations (Gen X and Baby Boomers) share the same perspective on hybrid models, and 34.3% also expect more collaborative and flexible spaces.
The data also reveals that older generations are also more focused on the technological changes within the workplace. Notably, 48.9% of Gen X and Baby Boomers anticipate that work teams will rely more on technology and less on interpersonal interactions in the future. That percentage decreases for younger generations where the survey reveals that 32.5% of Gen and Millennials share the same belief.
The survey also indicated a consensus around the adoption of hybrid work models as the future workplace norm. With 45.8% of Baby Boomers and Gen X, and 42.7% of Gen Z and Millennials seeing the future of workspaces prefer hybrid work environments.
Opinions varied on the topic of leadership styles — with 35% of the younger respondents favoring more of a focus on “empathy and emotional intelligence,” while 33.1% of Baby Boomers and Gen X respondents believe “leadership will become less relevant in a decentralized work environment.”
One area where generations seem to agree is on upskilling, or “continuous learning.” According to the survey, 63.5% of Gen Z and Millennials agree this area will be essential for career growth, and 70.8% of Gen X and Baby Boomers agree.
The survey’s data suggests the need for organizations to adapt by fostering upskilling opportunities, embracing age diversity, and prioritizing employee well-being to improve productivity and retention.
