‘My salary is high, but…’: Why some Singaporeans still consider leaving their jobs despite higher pay
SINGAPORE: One would expect a high salary to make someone stay at a company in a city as expensive as Singapore, which, by the way, was ranked as the most expensive city even for the most affluent ... This article ( ‘My salary is high, but…’: Why some Singaporeans still consider leaving their jobs despite higher pay ) first appeared on The Independent Singapore News .
Singapore, a city recognized for its high cost of living, has long been deemed the most expensive city for the wealthy for four back-to-back years. Despite the allure of high salaries, a significant number of Singaporeans are contemplating leaving their well-paying jobs. Some are driven by a desire for personal growth and fulfillment.
One Singaporean, who earned S$7,000 a month, questioned his colleagues on r/CareersSingapore on how to stay motivated when his lucrative job left him feeling unfulfilled. He pondered whether he should seek growth opportunities within the company, tackle side projects, or view his position as a stepping stone to something more meaningful. He also sought advice on whether others in similar high-paying roles experienced burnout and questioned if the salary was truly worth the cost.
Another Singaporean, earning S$6,500 monthly in his first job after graduation, found it challenging to appreciate his financial windfall when his work occupied 12 hours of his weekdays. He admitted feeling "slightly jealous" of friends in lower-paying yet more flexible positions who could work from home and depart early. His managers appeared to have exponentially less time as they climbed the corporate ladder, which further fueled his contemplation about the true cost of corporate advancement.
Such narratives frequently emerge in Singaporean forums and eventually capture headlines, perhaps because the predicament is relatable to many. While higher pay may be a common aspiration, many are discovering that it is not the sole determinant of job satisfaction. A recent Jobstreet by SEEK Workplace Happiness Index survey revealed that Singapore ranks second-lowest in worker contentment among surveyed cities. Approximately half (45%) of respondents reported feeling burnt out or drained by their jobs.
JobStreet by SEEK's Singapore Managing Director, Esther Lee, posited that the survey findings indicate that Singapore's workforce is not disengaged or unmotivated, but rather, they feel overburdened and undervalued.
Written by urgent.news from The Independent Singapore's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
