Non-profit and public sector employees in Singapore face higher levels of exhaustion and dissatisfaction: Survey

With an average wellbeing score of 5.3 out of 10 among employees surveyed, there comes the need for more purpose-driven, engaged, and supportive work environments to boost positive functioning.

The School of Positive Psychology, in collaboration with Positran, a consultancy specialising in applying positive psychology to enhance personal and organisational wellbeing, revealed the findings of their Singapore Employee Wellbeing survey on 28 September at the Wellbeing 2.0 conference.  

Conducted between February and May this year, the study surveyed 169 employees in Singapore using the Positive Organisational Profile (POP) model, a scientifically validated approach for assessing workplace wellbeing.  

A study conducted on 169 employees in Singapore earlier this year revealed that employee performance in certain work environments currently fares moderately, pointing to a need for more purpose-driven, engaged, and supportive work environments to enhance positive functioning. 

In particular, the overall wellbeing score obtained through the survey, which used the Positive Organisational Profile (POP) model — a scientifically validated approach for assessing workplace wellbeing, was 5.3 out of 10. 

The study, carried out by the School of Positive Psychology, in collaboration with Positran, showcased further results as follows:

The Overall Energy Index, which provides a quick snapshot of the emotional states of employees, revealed that: 

• 37% of respondents, particularly from the public sector, were placed in the Stress quadrant, highlighting a high risk of burnout and dissatisfaction. 

• In contrast, 46% of respondents, mainly self-employed individuals, were placed in the Enthusiasm quadrant, demonstrating higher levels of positive emotions and better workplace functioning. 

• However, 59% of all participants reported frequently feeling "tired", a stark contrast to a similar study previously conducted by Positran on European counterparts, where confidence and positive emotions were more commonly reported.

The above aside, personal meaning, high vitality, and a positive mindset emerged as key drivers of employee wellbeing. However, respondents showed lower scores in cognitive flexibility, indicating limited openness to new experiences and learning.

Encouraging a growth mindset and adaptability could help address this gap, fostering greater individual resilience and enhancing overall wellbeing in the workplace. At the same time, strong leadership, managerial support, and a climate of trust were identified as crucial for fostering a positive work environment.

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Infographics / Singapore Employee Wellbeing survey