New data from Indeed highlights a significant discomfort with wage discussions
65% of Singapore’s female workforce has never asked for a pay rise, according to the latest data from job search and employment platform Indeed.
According to Indeed’s “Promoting Women for Better Work Study” which collected feedback from 14,677 women across five continents, there is a significant discomfort among Singapore’s female employees when it comes to wage discussions. Only 32% have broached the subject of a pay raise—lagging behind the international average of 43%.
Additionally, a concerning 59% of Singapore's women feel their base salaries do not reflect their worth, with almost half (48%) hesitating to ask for more due to fear of a negative reaction. However, it's worth noting that 76% of those who did ask reported receiving some level of pay increase.
Indeed’s data was discussed in detail at “A Toast to Women at Work,” a roundtable which took place on March 27 at Altro Zafferano in Singapore.
Data raises gender pay disparity concerns
Indeed’s study shines an interesting light on perceptions of the gender pay gap, with a large portion of women globally and in Singapore viewing it as a broader national issue rather than confined to specific organisations or sectors.
In Singapore, 37% of respondents viewed the national gender pay gap as a broader issue compared to 24% who saw it as an organisational issue. An additional 28% saw the pay gap as sector-specific.
The figures studying attitudes towards the pay gap have also raised concerns. 57% of Singaporean women reporting feeling like they need to make more effort than men for professional recognition, and this figure aligned closely with the global perception (61%). Only a minority (30%) were optimistic about closing the gender pay gap within the next five years, with a more realistic timeline being fifty years for half of the respondents.
The pathway to career advancement also appears gendered, with 43% of Singaporean women agreeing that career progression is skewed in favour of men, attributed significantly to societal sexism or unconscious bias (56%) and caregiving responsibilities (54% compared to a 43% global average). Additionally, Singaporean women report a higher discomfort (39%) in seeking promotions than the global average (35%).
When it comes to job satisfaction, the key factors for Singapore's women included a positive workplace culture, balance between work and life, and job security, scoring high at 82%, 82%, and 79% respectively. In terms of fostering an inclusive work environment, Singaporean women advocated more strongly for measures such as establishing a diversity and inclusion task force (40% versus the global 24%) and appointing dedicated diversity, equity, and inclusion leaders (40% compared to 28% globally).
Nishita Lalvani, Indeed's Marketing Director for India and Southeast Asia, emphasised the persistence of workplace challenges faced by women, including salary disparities, career advancement, and overall wellbeing.
"While Singaporean women share many views with their international peers, they place a distinctive emphasis on the value of a supportive work culture, job security, and balanced work-life dynamics,” she stated.
“Recognizing and acting upon these preferences is crucial for enhancing job satisfaction among women.”
