Straits Times Singapore. English., © 2010 Singapore Press Holdings Limited

Workers and job seekers increasingly value work-life balance when deciding which company to join or stay with, a recent survey by the Singapore Naional Employers Federation (Snef) has found.

Snef polled 150 tertiary studnets and working professionals in a survey meant to help small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) attract and retain talent.

The need for work-life balance emerged as the third most important factor for those seeking jobs, and the fifth most important for those deciding whether to stick with a job.

For job seekers, the top two factors were rather expected - attractive compensation and the opportunity for long-term career progression.

Findings of the survey, a joint effort by Snef and brand strategy consulting firm StrategiCom, were released yesterday.

Respondents were asked earlier this year what they considered to be the five most important and five least important attributes an employer should have. They were presented with a list of 39.

While pay and prospects came out tops, attributes such as humanitarian organisation and commitment to corporate social responsibility were deemed least important.

A similar survey had been conducted during the downturn two years ago, and interesting differences turned up when comparing the new results with the older ones.

During the downturn, respondents ranked freedom to work on their own initiative and recognition of work above monetary considerations.

In both years, however, workers placed an emphasis on job security and training and development.

Mr Lawrence Leow, president of the Association of Small and Medium Enterprises, has noticed the growing need for employers to provide work-life balance. He said that many SMEs have converted to a five-day work week in recent years.

"Some have compensated by just extending the working hours a bit on weekdays. And it can actually be more productive than having workers come in for just half a day on Saturday," he said.

Snef executive director Koh Juan Kiat explained that the survey was meant to help SMEs figure out how to attract and keep talent.

He said: "There is a right job and a best employer for every person. The challenge in talent management is to find that match and to keep employees so as to sustain a company's growth."

"SMEs should not, need not and cannot focus on all the top employer attributes. They need to focus only on the attribute they can promise or aspire to deliver to their employees."

The findings will be discussed at Snef's CEO and Employers Summit, which will be held at the end of this month as part of the federation's 30th anniversary celebrations.

Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, Manpower Minister Gan Kim Yong and Minister in the Prime Minister's Office Lim Swee Say are all expected to attend the summit.

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