'Great Resignation' in Singapore: MOM clarifies resignation rates remain below pre-COVID levels

That being said, MOM acknowledges that as the economy recovers, some increase in labour turnover is expected - although the impact will be uneven across sectors.

With high resignation rates across the United States and Europe, looming concerns about the 'Great Resignation' wave have extended to Singapore. 

The Ministry of Manpower has addressed this phenomenon in a recent Facebook post.

Citing its statistics, resignation rates in Singapore have remained consistently low throughout the pandemic, at 1.6% for the third quarter of 2021. This number remains below pre-COVID levels, similar to the quarterly average in 2018 – 2019 was 1.8%. As such, MOM statistics show that the pandemic has not led to a significant increase in resignations.

That being said, MOM acknowledges that as the economy recovers, some increase in labour turnover is expected - although the impact will be uneven across sectors. In sectors with lower-paying jobs, better opportunities could be a bigger factor for employees moving out. In growth sectors where there is strong demand for labour, recruitment and resignation rates will be expectedly higher.

On a more positive note, COVID-19 has shed more light on what may influence an employee’s decision to leave, such as demand for flexibility, the blurring of work-life boundaries, risk of burnout, and work disengagement. This allows employers the opportunity to work on these concerns. For example, Tripartite Partners have recognised these shifts and rolled out various efforts in recent years to support businesses and workers, such as the Tripartite Advisory on Mental Well-being at Workplaces and the Alliance for Action on Work-life Harmony.

Businesses in Singapore have also generally adapted well, as seen from the more widespread adoption of flexible work arrangements (FWA) such as staggered hours and work-from-home to more effectively support and retain their staff. In 2020, close to eight in 10 employers had at least one formal FWA in place on a sustained basis, up from over five in 10 in 2018.

Ending off, MOM states that the Government will continue to work with Tripartite Partners to create more inclusive and harmonious workplaces.

ALSO READ: Your 5-min guide to Singapore’s Tripartite Advisory on Mental Wellbeing at Workplaces

 Image / Singapore Ministry of Manpower Facebook

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