June 25, 2009
Recession? Work harder
By Jessica Cheam
SINGAPORE’S labour force is working harder in the midst of the recession – clocking in up to 10 hours of work more per week, revealed a new survey by Robert Walters on Thursday.
The fear of redundancy has ‘obviously had an effect’ on the workforce, said Robert Walters Singapore managing director Andrea Ross.
More than half – 59 per cent – of those polled said they were putting in overtime, with 23 per cent working eight to 10 hours more per week.
Singapore had the second highest percentage, after Hong Kong’s 33 per cent, for workers putting in eight to 10 hours more.
Globally, about 21 per cent said they were working that many extra hours.
Hong Kong professionals are obviously feeling the brunt of the global downturn – 62 per cent of them admitted to working longer hours. Globally, this figure was 55 per cent.
The online survey which polled 2,600 respondents from across 17 differnet countries asked if people were working harder as a result of the downturn.
‘Many people feel that by putting in more hours, they will be less likely to lose their jobs should further cost cutting prove necessary,’ said Ms Ross.
Furthermore, where job cuts have already taken place, those left are inevitably required to take on more work, she added.
Not everyone has had their working day stretched, however. The survey showed that 41 per cent of Singaporeans polled were still working the same hours, compared to 45 per cent globally.
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