“Nearly Half of Singapore’s Workforce Faces Exhaustion Due to Long Hours and Heavy Workloads, Survey Reveals”

SINGAPORE – A recent survey by Telus Health has raised alarms about the well-being of Singapore’s workforce, revealing that nearly 50% of employees feel mentally or physically drained at work. Conducted across 1,000 workers from sectors such as healthcare, public administration, manufacturing, and construction, the survey underscores a growing issue of burnout, particularly affecting workers under 40, who are three times more likely than older counterparts to experience severe burnout.

According to the survey, excessive workloads emerged as the primary driver of burnout, with 27% of respondents identifying it as the top cause, followed by personal demands (16%), lack of recognition (13%), and job insecurity (9%). Mr. Haider Amir, Telus Health’s Asia director, emphasized the importance of employers addressing mental health needs, as two-thirds of workers exhibit signs of burnout.

However, only 48% of respondents reported access to mental health support at their workplaces, with many facing an “always on” work culture that blurs the lines between work and personal life. Dr. John Shepherd Lim, chief well-being officer at the Singapore Counselling Centre, warned of the serious consequences of unaddressed burnout, which can lead to clinical mental health issues and impact productivity.

Industry experts have responded to these findings by encouraging employers to create healthier work environments. David Leong, managing director of PeopleWorldwide Consulting, suggested workload management and flexible schedules as strategies to reduce burnout. Paul Heng, founder of NeXT Career Consulting Group, highlighted the need to dismantle workplace stigmas around mental health and urged employers to support employees who seek help.

Singaporeans are also expressing their frustrations online, calling for reduced working hours, shorter workweeks, and flexibility around lunch breaks, which many say prolong their day unnecessarily. Some workers hope for a 35-hour workweek, while others advocate for a 4-day week or early Fridays, with one commenter noting, “Even a 4.5-day workweek with Friday afternoons off would be a godsend.”