Half of Hong Kong employees are unhappy

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According to research and management firm Qualtrics' Asia Pacific Employee Pulse Study, only half (50%) of Hong Kong employees are satisfied with their jobs. Moreover, the survey showed that employees working longer hours were less likely to quit their jobs despite experiencing more stress.

Unexpectedly the latest study revealed that long working hours did not contribute high employee turnover. Employees in the telecoms industry for example report working over 45 hours a week (91%), but only 9% of them are at risk of leaving their jobs.  Employees who work in telecoms 73%, utilities 57% and retail 33% industries said they feel stressed and overwhelmed by work ‘most’ or ‘all’ of the time. Yet they remain both positive and motivated despite the stressful work environment.

Employees in the healthcare sector are also one of the most stressed in Hong Kong 45%. However, they are also the least positive 9% workforce as compared to other industries.

Employees in Hong Kong (50%) have the lowest job satisfaction compared with Singapore 64% and Malaysia 67%. Furthermore, less Hong Kong employees 52% are satisfied with their work-life balance than Singaporeans 54% and Malaysians 61%.

The survey also turned up surprising results when dissected across ages. 63% of employees under the age of 25 reported being satisfied with their jobs compared to their older peers. Only 15%  said that they were ‘extremely’ or ‘somewhat’ dissatisfied with their jobs. This bucked the trend regionally where the most satisfied employees fell into the age group 55 years and older in Singapore and Malaysia workforces.

“This study clearly shows a gap between what employers think and what employees are really thinking. As industry leaders, we tend to have a very skewed perception of what employees face in the workplace every day. It is not uncommon to assume that longer working hours and high-stress levels would naturally lead to a disgruntled and dissatisfied workforce, however, it has been pleasantly surprising to have this fact refuted,” said Foo Mao Gen, Head of Southeast Asia at Qualtrics.

Conducted quarterly the survey focusses on factors that drive employee attitude, behaviour and well-being. Qualtrics spoke to 5000 full-time employees globally.

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