Nearly half, or 41% of workers in Singapore said that they would rather be unemployed than feel unhappy in their jobs, according to research from Randstad Singapore.

By age group, 56% of respondents aged 18-24 said that they would quit if their jobs prevented them from enjoying life. Likewise, 57% of respondents aged 25-34 would leave their jobs if they couldn’t enjoy life. However, less than half, or 46%, of respondents aged between 45 and 54 agreed with this sentiment.

According to Randstad, mature workers may have higher financial responsibilities, a more established career, and are thus less likely to risk their job security to change employers.

Meanwhile, Randstad added that younger employees are reforming their definition of success, which is reflected in their willingness to explore job switches to find the organisational structures and culture that best match their aspirations and lifestyles.

The research also showed that 94% of respondents maintained that work-life balance is important. Most, or 77%, valued the importance of having the option to work remotely, however 52% have this flexibility from their employers. While 80% value the importance of having the option to work flexible hours, only 60% have this flexibility from their employers.

“With workers returning to the office, the autonomy with flexible work has fallen, and other schedules such as family responsibilities have to be adjusted again. Companies should reconsider the purpose of the office as a collaborative space that fills up the communicative gaps of remote work, rather than resign to closed-off work cubicles,” Jaya Dass, Managing Director Randstad Malaysia and Singapore, said.

Further data showed that 44% of employees wouldn’t mind earning less money if they felt their job contributed something to society or the world. At the same time, 43% would not accept a job if it did not align with their social and environmental values, and if the company was not making a proactive effort to improve diversity and equity.