Beyond the Paycheque: Reeracoen Singapore x Rakuten Insight Study Reveals Shifting Workforce Priorities and Retention Risks in 2026
SINGAPORE, Feb. 25, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Reeracoen Singapore, in partnership with Rakuten Insight, has released Beyond the Paycheque: Singapore Employee Sentiment Study 2026, a new research report examining how employees in Singapore are reassessing what matters most at work amid evolving economic and workplace conditions in 2026.
Based on a survey of working adults across Singapore, the study explores how professionals are balancing compensation against broader employment factors such as flexibility, workload sustainability, wellbeing, job stability, and long-term career security. The findings highlight a clear shift in workforce priorities, with employees increasingly taking a more holistic view of their careers rather than evaluating opportunities based on pay alone.
Notably, the study found that around seven in 10 employees (71.8%) are engaged in some form of job search activity, including passive browsing of opportunities rather than active applications alone. This points to heightened monitoring of opportunities and a broader, less visible retention risk for employers. At the same time, many employees indicate conditional openness to limited pay trade-offs if overall working conditions meaningfully improve.
"As workforce conditions grow more complex, employment decisions are no longer driven by a single factor," said Kenji Naito, Group CEO of Reeracoen Group. "Employees are balancing compensation with sustainability, wellbeing, and long-term security. This study provides timely insight into how these priorities are shaping workforce expectations in Singapore."
Highlights and key findings
The research suggests that employee mobility risk in 2026 extends well beyond those actively applying for new roles. Many professionals are monitoring the market and reassessing their options over time, particularly when workload pressure, flexibility, or progression expectations are not being met.
- 71.8% of respondents report being engaged in some form of job search activity, including passive browsing
- This behaviour points to a larger retention risk pool that may not be visible through traditional resignation signals
- Employees increasingly compare roles and conditions before acting, rather than making abrupt job changes
While base salary remains the strongest single anchor in job decision-making, the study shows that non-salary factors now play a decisive role when employees evaluate offers.
- 47.5% cite base salary as the most important factor when choosing a new job
- Work-life balance, job stability, flexible or hybrid work arrangements, and workload sustainability form a critical second tier
- Employees increasingly assess job offers as a total employment experience rather than a list of separate benefits
The findings also point to a widespread but carefully bounded trade-off mindset. Many employees express openness in principle to trading pay for better overall conditions, although tolerance for reductions remains limited.
Employees are most willing to consider trade-offs when improvements are tangible and experienced week to week, rather than positioned as future promises.
- 69.1% indicate they would accept a pay cut or would consider one, depending on the overall package
- 80.7% cap any acceptable pay reduction at 10% or none
- Trade-offs are most acceptable when they deliver tangible improvements in day-to-day experience, such as flexibility or manageable workloads
- These responses reflect stated intent at the time of the study rather than observed behaviour.
Hybrid work expectations continue to shape job attractiveness, with flexibility now viewed as a baseline expectation rather than a differentiator.
- 61.7% of employees prefer hybrid working arrangements
- Predictability and clarity around onsite expectations are valued more than unlimited or ad hoc flexibility
- Consistent manager practices strongly influence how flexible policies are experienced
The study also highlights opportunities for employers in skills development and digital readiness.
- 73.6% rate training and upskilling as moderately important or higher
- 65.9% report being comfortable using AI tools at work
- Linking upskilling and AI adoption to progression and retention may help strengthen engagement
Shoichi Sunaga, Branch Manager at Reeracoen Singapore, shared: "In Singapore, retention is no longer about reacting to resignation risk. Employees are reassessing their options quietly and over time. Employers that focus only on pay risk missing the broader factors influencing commitment."
Together, the findings underscore the need for employers to move beyond compensation-led strategies and focus on building sustainable, transparent, and trusted employment experiences. The report encourages HR leaders to invest in workload sustainability, manager capability, and clear progression pathways, while clearly communicating the full value of total rewards.
Cheryl Ng, Country Director, Singapore, at Rakuten Insight, said: "By capturing how working adults prioritise compensation, flexibility, and stability, this study offers data-driven insight into the trade-offs employees are considering in today's labour market."
The full report, Beyond the Paycheque: Singapore Employee Sentiment Study 2026, is designed to support employers in anticipating retention risks, refining talent attraction narratives, and grounding workforce planning decisions in real employee sentiment. The findings reflect self-reported attitudes at the time of the study and are designed to provide directional insight rather than predict individual actions.
The full report is available for download at:
To learn more about Reeracoen Singapore's workforce insights and talent solutions, visit https://www.reeracoen.sg/, or follow Reeracoen Singapore on LinkedIn.
About Reeracoen
Reeracoen is a leading Asia-based recruitment firm, connecting high-quality talent with forward-thinking organisations across the region. With 9 offices spanning 6 major Asian markets, we combine deep local expertise with cross-border hiring capabilities to support sustainable business growth.
Reeracoen has been recognised with multiple industry awards in recent years, including Best Recruitment & Talent Acquisition Agency (2025, 2026), Client Service Excellence Award (2026), Best International Recruitment & Talent Acquisition Agency (2024), and Best Executive Recruitment Agency (2024).
In Singapore, Reeracoen upholds the highest standards of professionalism and service quality, delivering trusted recruitment solutions for both employers and professionals navigating an increasingly digital and competitive economy.
For more information, visit www.reeracoen.sg and follow us on social media.
About Rakuten Insight, Inc.
Rakuten Insight, Inc. is a wholly-owned online market research subsidiary of Rakuten Group, Inc., a global leader in internet services headquartered in Tokyo. Established in 1997 as AIP Corporation and integrated into the Rakuten Group in 2014, Rakuten Insight operates a research panel focused on 12 major Asian markets and the United States, with a panel network spanning 60 countries and regions. With offices in 11 countries and regions, the company provides market research for more than 500 leading companies worldwide. Rakuten Insight Singapore serves as a regional hub providing multi-lingual and multi-functional operational support for clients across Southeast Asia. For more information, visit https://insight.rakuten.com or follow us on LinkedIn.
SOURCE Reeracoen Singapore
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