Long working hours are preventing Singaporeans from spending time with families

With Singaporeans clocking in the second longest working hours worldwide, it had to be a matter of time before such lack of a work-life balance hit their happiness levels.

A recent poll conducted by Families for Life Council (FFL) revealed that long working hours was the top reason preventing locals from spending time with their families.

Out of the 1,252 respondents polled, 55% stated they are not satisfied with the amount of quality family time spent because of the hours they and their spouses spend at work.

The figure was a 12% increase from last year.

The survey found time spent on household chores and errands was the second top reason (54%) why locals were dissatisfied with the number of hours spent with their families.

Overall, 55% of respondents stated they were not content with the amount of quality family time spent, a marginal increase from 54% last year.

READ MORE: Singaporeans feel “obliged” to work long, hard hours

This was despite the fact that more Singaporeans were, in fact, spending time at home with their loved ones.

The report highlighted a majority were spending six to 12 hours on average per week with their families, a rise from only two to six hours last year.

The finding wasn't surprising, considering 71% of the 1,252 respondents felt spending time with their family gave them most happiness. The percentage was 4% higher than in 2014.

"I am heartened by the poll results as they affirm that families recognise the importance of family time and want more time with their families, although sometimes it requires us to re-prioritise our to-do lists," Ching Wei Hong, FFL Council Chairman said.

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He added that the Council is very supportive of the recently enhanced proximity housing grant precisely because it aids in enabling families to spend more time together.

"It will encourage inter-generational families to stay closer, spend more time together and tap on each other’s support to care for the young and old," he said.

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