Having a "good work-life balance" (68%) continues to edge out "attractive salary and benefits" (64%) as the most critical employee value proposition (EVP) driver for talent in Singapore, despite today’s highly volatile economic landscape.
Local talent remain firm in their expectations on personal well-being and sustainability, driven largely by their need for flexible work arrangements and a good, supportive working environment.
Rather than viewing their lives through a purely financial lens, employees are increasingly recognising that a sustainable career requires clear boundaries, a sentiment explicitly proven by the 43% of talent who would leave an employer specifically to improve their work-life balance.
Beyond the immediate need for work-life balance, Singapore professionals also have their focus on long-term career resilience. There is a sharp, rising demand for career progression (55%) and equal opportunities (54%) as talent actively map out their future employability within a market that’s always changing.
Organisations that can combine workplace flexibility with clear growth pathways and equitable environments will secure a decisive edge in talent attraction and retention.
top 5 most important EVP factors when thinking about an ideal employer
why today’s professionals choose to walk away from their employers.
Job-switching rates remain stable, with 17% of talent changing employers in late 2025. However, professionals are still keeping a close eye on their career options, with 30% already planning to change employers in the first half of 2026.
While "too low compensation" remains the leading reason that talent leave their employers (44%), "improving work-life balance" follows closely at 43%. Furthermore, "poor relation with management" (33%) and a "negative work environment" (31%) are emerging as critical push factors, reinforcing the need for a holistic workplace approach where well-being and daily support are treated as operational priorities.
top 3 reasons for leaving an employer in singapore
For nearly half of the professionals surveyed, true work-life balance doesn’t just lie in having flexible work arrangements, but also in having a good work environment (44%) and a reasonable workload (42%).
Without addressing company culture and workload challenges, flexible work arrangements risk becoming a way for employees to fit more work into their personal time rather than achieve better balance.
bridging the digital divide with human connection.
In an increasingly digitised market where AI tools are becoming embedded in the job search process, the "human touch" remains an indispensable anchor. Our research shows that at least 70% of all talent in Singapore considers in-person contact essential when making career choices.
Interestingly, Gen Z talent leads this demand for authentic, face-to-face interaction, with 75% identifying in-person contact as important during their job application phase — despite being the most digitally native generation.
To successfully hire for talent in 2026, employers must know how to blend the best of both worlds by leveraging digital tools for operational efficiency while also preserving face-to-face interactions throughout the hiring process. In a job market crowded with automated application processes, organisations that strategically bring human connection back into the candidate journey will immediately set themselves apart.
get your free digital report: 2026 singapore employer brand research
Randstad - the world’s leading talent company - has revealed the complete findings of its 15th annual Employer Brand Research in Singapore. Conducted by Kantar in January 2026, the study surveyed 166,000 respondents globally, including 2,500 individuals in Singapore, making it the world’s most comprehensive and representative employer branding research based on general talent perceptions.
The report features in-depth data to help organisations shape their employer branding strategies. Fill in the form below to access the full report and discover how to optimise your talent attraction and retention today.
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At Randstad, we leverage our deep understanding of the labor market to help clients find high-quality, diverse, and agile workforces. Our specialist talent consultants provide comprehensive market research and customised insights to support your organisation’s talent plans.
Connect with us today to discuss these research findings or let us know your hiring requirements, and we’ll get in touch to support your talent needs.