Most Singapore Employees Would Quit Without Workplace Belonging

Research from Randstad finds a positive workplace community is the foundation of engagement in Singapore. 

By Maggie Mancini

In today’s workplace, a sense of belonging has emerged as a critical factor for employee engagement and retention. According to Randstad’s 2025 Workmonitor survey, 62% of Singaporean employees would leave their jobs if they didn’t experience a sense of belonging at work. This is especially important for Gen Z workers, with 67% stating they would consider resigning if they didn’t feel a sense of belonging.  

The survey finds that a positive workplace community is the foundation of employee engagement for higher productivity, happier employees, and cost savings for employers. About a fifth (21%) of respondents have quit a job because they did not have any friends at work. This is particularly true for Gen Z and millennial workers, as 25% report leaving jobs due to a lack of community.  

The survey highlights the importance of workplace relationships, revealing that 84% of respondents consider some colleagues as friends, and 73% continue to socialise with them outside of work. These connections are integral to employee motivation and are significant drivers of productivity. Nearly all respondents say they perform better at work when they feel a sense of community and feel they know their colleagues.  

Nearly half (43%) of workers say they wouldn’t mind earning less money if they were able to make good friends at work. Similarly, 45% would accept a lower salary if their work contributed to their social lives, showcasing the tangible value employees place on workplace connections.  

Despite this, only 49% of respondents trust their employers to create a thriving culture. This gap is more pronounced among Gen Z employees, with just 37% expressing confidence in their employers.  

Additionally, one in four workers reports quitting their jobs because they feel compelled to hide aspects of themselves at work. This is strong among younger generations—37% of Gen Z and 35% of millennials have left jobs due to this issue, compared to just 16% of Gen X and 13% of baby boomers.