Singapore is witnessing the emergence of a new generation of workers, often referred to as Generation Z and Millennials. These digital natives bring a fresh perspective, values, and expectations to the workplace.
These workers, mainly from Gen Z and Millennials, are looking for more than just a paycheck. They want meaningful work, work-life balance, learning and growth opportunities, and a voice in the organization.
But how can businesses in Singapore attract and retain these workers, especially in a competitive and dynamic market? Here are some tips to help you prepare your business for the future of work.
Invest in education and lifelong learning
Singapore has long been a leader in education, but it is also committed to reskilling and upskilling its workforce for the future economy. The government provides various schemes and subsidies for citizens to access training programmes and courses, such as SkillsFuture Credit and Workforce Singapore programmes. Businesses can leverage these resources to support their employees’ learning and development, as well as create a culture of continuous learning within the organization. This will help employees acquire new skills, adapt to changing demands, and stay relevant in their careers.
Embrace technology and innovation
Technology is transforming every aspect of work, from how we communicate, collaborate, and create value. Businesses need to adopt technology that can enhance their productivity, efficiency, and customer experience, such as HRMS (Human Resource Management System), which can automate and streamline various HR functions, such as payroll, benefits, performance management, and recruitment. Technology can also enable businesses to tap into new markets, opportunities, and talent pools, such as remote work, gig work, and online platforms.
Foster a values-based culture
The new generation of workers are not only looking for what they can do for the organization, but also what the organization can do for them and society. They want to work for businesses that share their values, vision, and purpose, and that contribute positively to social and environmental causes. Businesses need to articulate their mission, vision, and values clearly, and align them with their actions and decisions. They also need to engage their employees in meaningful ways, such as involving them in decision-making processes, soliciting feedback, recognizing achievements, and celebrating successes.
Promote work-life balance and well-being
The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of work-life balance and well-being for both employees and employers. The new generation of workers value flexibility, autonomy, and choice in how they work, where they work, and when they work. Businesses need to offer flexible work arrangements that suit different preferences and needs, such as hybrid work models, flexible hours, compressed work weeks, or job sharing. They also need to support their employees’ physical, mental, and emotional well-being by providing adequate resources, benefits, policies, and programmes.
Collaborate
The future of work requires collaboration across different sectors, industries, disciplines, and generations. Businesses need to build strong relationships with various partners that can help them achieve their goals and overcome challenges. These include government agencies, educational institutions, industry associations, customers, suppliers, competitors, partners, mentors, peers, and employees. Collaboration can foster innovation, creativity, diversity of perspectives, and mutual learning.
The new generation of workers are the future of work. By preparing your business for their needs and expectations, you can gain a competitive edge in the market, enhance your employer brand, and create a loyal and engaged workforce.
HRMLabs is a leading HRMS provider in Singapore, offering a cloud-based solution that can help businesses of all sizes to streamline HR processes and automate tasks. HRMLabs can help you prepare your business for the new generation of workers by providing you with the tools you need to attract and retain top talent, support remote work, training and development, and improve employee engagement.
