Latest news with #Hiring
Business Times
4 days ago
- Business
- Business Times
A third of employers raising their reliance on contract, flexi-work hires: Jobstreet survey
[SINGAPORE] Hiring confidence in Singapore has rebounded in recent times, with 42 per cent of employers planning to employ more permanent staff in the first half of 2025, based on Jobstreet by SEEK's Hiring, Compensation and Benefits 2025 report released on Tuesday (May 27). This was a mark higher than the 32 per cent of employers who expressed confidence in a more active job market for the second half of 2024. The increased figure was in line with Singapore's 2025 forecast gross domestic product growth of about 1 to 3 per cent. While permanent employment is in demand, 31 per cent of employers said they are increasing their reliance on contract, part-time staff and flexi-work hires this year, up from 15 per cent in 2024. This was primarily driven by small and medium-sized businesses, the report indicated, with their key reasons including the need to expand their business, looking for a more flexible workforce, and requiring new roles and skill sets. The survey was conducted between September and October 2024, and received responses from 887 hirers and human resources professionals in Singapore across a range of industries such as trade and manufacturing services, engineering, and technology and data. A NEWSLETTER FOR YOU Friday, 3 pm Thrive Money, career and life hacks to help young adults stay ahead of the curve. Sign Up Sign Up In 2024, 76 per cent of companies awarded bonuses, with the average payouts remaining consistent with the previous year. Only 79 per cent of businesses implemented salary increases last year, down from 84 per cent in 2023. Staff promotions fell to 54 per cent in 2024, compared to 59 per cent in the year before. Those promoted in 2024 also received lower compensation increases – in the 1 to 5 per cent range – as compared to those who received promotions in 2023. On the other hand, various non-monetary perks such as flexible work arrangements, mental health days and family care gained traction among businesses to enhance quality of life and employee well-being. Benefits such as additional paternity leave (16 per cent), family care leave (14 per cent), and maternity leave (12 per cent) gained popularity in 2024, reflecting how employers wish to better support employees' family lives. This was in line with Singapore's enhanced parental leave policies, such as the Enhanced Government-Paid Paternity Leave and New Shared Parental Leave schemes. Additionally, companies in Singapore these days are investing more in long-term employee career development, with plans to expand access to training or self-learning programmes (8 per cent), apprenticeship or mentoring opportunities (9 per cent), and job rotation opportunities (9 per cent) in 2025. Top full-time permanent job functions hired in 2025 The report noted that the top three job functions for 88 per cent of companies hired in 2024 remained consistent with those in 2023. Administration and human resources took the top spot at 36 per cent, followed by accounting at 28 per cent, then sales and business development at 23 per cent. New entries to the top five permanent full-time job functions were that of customer service at 16 per cent, and branding and marketing at 14 per cent. AI literacy as a 'must-have', though adoption still lags A key qualification today for many jobs is fluency in artificial intelligence (AI), with 54 per cent of employers now considering it during hiring and candidate assessment, and nearly one in five viewing it as a primary consideration. But despite this demand, only 15 per cent of businesses have implemented AI tools to assist with recruitment. The main barriers to adoption include the perception that AI is unnecessary in the recruitment process (51 per cent), concerns about losing the human touch and personalisation (44 per cent), and lack of knowledge or access to AI applications (40 per cent). 'Singapore's job market is entering a new chapter,' said Vic Sithasanan, managing director at Jobstreet by SEEK in Singapore. 'Where salary once reigned supreme, the data shows us that employers and jobseekers are now focused on AI readiness, work-life flexibility, and meaningful career development.' 'For jobseekers, standing out means not only demonstrating adaptability and a commitment to continuous upskilling, but also displaying real-world AI skills and a willingness to embrace qualities that are now essential to thrive in Singapore's job market.'
Business Times
4 days ago
- Business
- Business Times
A third of employers raising their reliance on contract, flexi-workers: Jobstreet survey
[SINGAPORE] Hiring confidence in Singapore has rebounded in recent times, with 42 per cent of employers planning to employ more permanent staff in the first half of 2025, based on Jobstreet by SEEK's Hiring, Compensation and Benefits 2025 report released on Tuesday (May 27). This was a mark higher than the 32 per cent of employers who expressed confidence in a more active job market for the second half of 2024. The increased figure was in line with Singapore's 2025 forecast gross domestic product growth of about 1 to 3 per cent. The survey was conducted between September and October 2024, and received responses from 887 hirers and human resources professionals in Singapore across a range of industries such as trade and manufacturing services, engineering, and technology and data. While permanent employment is in demand, 31 per cent of employers said they are increasing their reliance on contract, part-time staff and flexi-work hires this year, up from 15 per cent in 2024. This was primarily driven by small and medium-sized businesses, the report indicated, with their key reasons including the need to expand their business, looking for a more flexible workforce, and requiring new roles and skill sets. A NEWSLETTER FOR YOU Friday, 3 pm Thrive Money, career and life hacks to help young adults stay ahead of the curve. Sign Up Sign Up In 2024, 76 per cent of companies awarded bonuses, with the average payouts remaining consistent with the previous year. Only 79 per cent of businesses implemented salary increases last year, down from 84 per cent in 2023. Staff promotions fell to 54 per cent in 2024, compared to 59 per cent in the year before. Those promoted in 2024 also received lower compensation increases – in the 1 to 5 per cent range – as compared to those who received promotions in 2023. On the other hand, various non-monetary perks such as flexible work arrangements, mental health days and family care gained traction among businesses to enhance quality of life and employee well-being. Benefits such as additional paternity leave (16 per cent), family care leave (14 per cent), and maternity leave (12 per cent) gained popularity in 2024, reflecting how employers wish to better support employees' family lives. This was in line with Singapore's enhanced parental leave policies, such as the Enhanced Government-Paid Paternity Leave and New Shared Parental Leave schemes. Additionally, companies in Singapore these days are investing more in long-term employee career development, with plans to expand access to training or self-learning programmes (8 per cent), apprenticeship or mentoring opportunities (9 per cent), and job rotation opportunities (9 per cent) in 2025. Top full-time permanent job functions hired in 2025 The report noted that the top three job functions for 88 per cent of companies hired in 2024 remained consistent with those in 2023. Administration and human resources took the top spot at 36 per cent, followed by accounting at 28 per cent, then sales and business development at 23 per cent. New entries to the top five permanent full-time job functions were that of customer service at 16 per cent, and branding and marketing at 14 per cent. AI literacy as a 'must-have', though adoption still lags A key qualification today for many jobs is fluency in artificial intelligence (AI), with 54 per cent of employers now considering it during hiring and candidate assessment, and nearly one in five viewing it as a primary consideration. But despite this demand, only 15 per cent of businesses have implemented AI tools to assist with recruitment. The main barriers to adoption include the perception that AI is unnecessary in the recruitment process (51 per cent), concerns about losing the human touch and personalisation (44 per cent), and lack of knowledge or access to AI applications (40 per cent). 'Singapore's job market is entering a new chapter,' said Vic Sithasanan, managing director at Jobstreet by SEEK in Singapore. 'Where salary once reigned supreme, the data shows us that employers and jobseekers are now focused on AI readiness, work-life flexibility, and meaningful career development.' 'For jobseekers, standing out means not only demonstrating adaptability and a commitment to continuous upskilling, but also displaying real-world AI skills and a willingness to embrace qualities that are now essential to thrive in Singapore's job market.'
Business Times
4 days ago
- Business
- Business Times
A third of employers raising their reliance on contract, part-time workers: Jobstreet survey
[SINGAPORE] Hiring confidence in Singapore has rebounded in recent times, with 42 per cent of employers planning to employ more permanent staff in the first half of 2025, based on Jobstreet by SEEK's Hiring, Compensation and Benefits 2025 report released on Tuesday (May 27). This was a mark higher than the 32 per cent of employers who expressed confidence in a more active job market for the second half of 2024. The increased figure was in line with Singapore's 2025 forecast gross domestic product growth of about 1 to 3 per cent. The survey was conducted between September and October 2024, and received responses from 887 hirers and human resources professionals in Singapore across a range of industries such as trade and manufacturing services, engineering, and technology and data. While permanent employment is in demand, 31 per cent of employers said they are increasing their reliance on contract, part-time staff and flex-work hires this year, up from 15 per cent in 2024. This was primarily driven by small and medium-sized businesses, the report indicated, with their key reasons including the need to expand their business, looking for a more flexible workforce, and requiring new roles and skill sets. A NEWSLETTER FOR YOU Friday, 3 pm Thrive Money, career and life hacks to help young adults stay ahead of the curve. Sign Up Sign Up In 2024, 76 per cent of companies awarded bonuses, with the average payouts remaining consistent with the previous year. Only 79 per cent of businesses implemented salary increases last year, down from 84 per cent in 2023. Staff promotions fell to 54 per cent in 2024, compared to 59 per cent in the year before. Those promoted in 2024 also received lower compensation increases – in the 1 to 5 per cent range – as compared to those who received promotions in 2023. On the other hand, various non-monetary perks such as flexible work arrangements, mental health days and family care gained traction among businesses to enhance quality of life and employee well-being. Benefits such as additional paternity leave (16 per cent), family care leave (14 per cent), and maternity leave (12 per cent) gained popularity in 2024, reflecting how employers wish to better support employees' family lives. This was in line with Singapore's enhanced parental leave policies, such as the Enhanced Government-Paid Paternity Leave and New Shared Parental Leave schemes. Additionally, companies in Singapore these days are investing more in long-term employee career development, with plans to expand access to training or self-learning programmes (8 per cent), apprenticeship or mentoring opportunities (9 per cent), and job rotation opportunities (9 per cent) in 2025. Top full-time permanent job functions hired in 2025 The report noted that the top three job functions for 88 per cent of companies hired in 2024 remained consistent with those in 2023. Administration and human resources took the top spot at 36 per cent, followed by accounting at 28 per cent, then sales and business development at 23 per cent. New entries to the top five permanent full-time job functions were that of customer service at 16 per cent, and branding and marketing at 14 per cent. AI literacy as a 'must-have', though adoption still lags A key qualification today for many jobs is fluency in artificial intelligence (AI), with 54 per cent of employers now considering it during hiring and candidate assessment, and nearly one in five viewing it as a primary consideration. But despite this demand, only 15 per cent of businesses have implemented AI tools to assist with recruitment. The main barriers to adoption include the perception that AI is unnecessary in the recruitment process (51 per cent), concerns about losing the human touch and personalisation (44 per cent), and lack of knowledge or access to AI applications (40 per cent). 'Singapore's job market is entering a new chapter,' said Vic Sithasanan, managing director at Jobstreet by SEEK in Singapore. 'Where salary once reigned supreme, the data shows us that employers and jobseekers are now focused on AI readiness, work-life flexibility, and meaningful career development.' 'For jobseekers, standing out means not only demonstrating adaptability and a commitment to continuous upskilling, but also displaying real-world AI skills and a willingness to embrace qualities that are now essential to thrive in Singapore's job market.'
Business Times
5 days ago
- Business
- Business Times
Over 40% of employers plan to hire more permanent staff; 1 in 3 rely on contract, part-time talent: Jobstreet
[SINGAPORE] Hiring confidence in Singapore has rebounded in recent times, with 42 per cent of employers planning to employ more permanent staff in the first half of 2025, based on Jobstreet by Seek's Hiring, Compensation and Benefits 2025 report released on Tuesday (May 27). This was a mark higher than the 32 per cent of employers who expressed confidence in a more active job market for the second half of 2024. The increased figure was in line with Singapore's 2025 forecast gross domestic product growth of about 1 to 3 per cent. The survey was conducted between September and October 2024, and received responses from 887 hirers and human resources professionals in Singapore across a range of industries such as trade and manufacturing services, engineering, and technology and data. While permanent employment is in demand, 31 per cent of employers said they are increasing their reliance on contract, part-time staff and flex-work hires this year, up from 15 per cent in 2024. This was primarily driven by small and medium-sized businesses, the report indicated, with their key reasons including the need to expand their business, looking for a more flexible workforce, and requiring new roles and skill sets. A NEWSLETTER FOR YOU Friday, 3 pm Thrive Money, career and life hacks to help young adults stay ahead of the curve. Sign Up Sign Up In 2024, 76 per cent of companies awarded bonuses, with the average payouts remaining consistent with the previous year. Only 79 per cent of businesses implemented salary increases last year, down from 84 per cent in 2023. Staff promotions fell to 54 per cent in 2024, compared to 59 per cent in the year before. Those promoted in 2024 also received lower compensation increases – in the 1 to 5 per cent range – as compared to those who received promotions in 2023. On the other hand, various non-monetary perks such as flexible work arrangements, mental health days, and family care, gained traction among businesses to enhance quality of life and employee well-being. Benefits such as additional paternity leave (16 per cent), family care leave (14 per cent), and maternity leave (12 per cent) gained popularity in 2024, reflecting how employers wish to better support employees' family lives. This was in line with Singapore's enhanced parental leave policies, such as the Enhanced Government-Paid Paternity Leave and New Shared Parental Leave schemes. Additionally, companies in Singapore these days are investing more in long-term employee career development, with plans to expand access to training or self-learning programmes (8 per cent), apprenticeship or mentoring opportunities (9 per cent), and job rotation opportunities (9 per cent) in 2025. Top full-time permanent job functions hired in 2025 The report noted that the top three job functions for 88 per cent of companies hired in 2024 remained consistent with those in 2023. Administration and human resources took the top spot at 36 per cent, followed by accounting at 28 per cent, then sales and business development at 23 per cent. New entries to the top five permanent full-time job functions were that of customer service at 16 per cent, and branding and marketing at 14 per cent. AI literacy as a 'must-have', though adoption still lags A key qualification today for many jobs is fluency in artificial intelligence (AI), with 54 per cent of employers now considering it during hiring and candidate assessment, and nearly one in five viewing it as a primary consideration. But despite this demand, only 15 per cent of businesses have implemented AI tools to assist with recruitment. The main barriers to adoption include the perception that AI is unnecessary in the recruitment process (51 per cent), concerns about losing the human touch and personalisation (44 per cent), and lack of knowledge or access to AI applications (40 per cent). 'Singapore's job market is entering a new chapter,' said Vic Sithasanan, managing director at Jobstreet by Seek in Singapore. 'Where salary once reigned supreme, the data shows us that employers and jobseekers are now focused on AI readiness, work-life flexibility, and meaningful career development.' 'For jobseekers, standing out means not only demonstrating adaptability and a commitment to continuous upskilling, but also displaying real-world AI skills and a willingness to embrace qualities that are now essential to thrive in Singapore's job market.'
The Sun
28-04-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Nearly half of Malaysian employers plan to expand permanent workforce: Jobstreet survey
PETALING JAYA: Employers in Malaysia are optimistic on recruitment, according to Jobstreet by Seek's latest Hiring, Compensation and Benefits Report 2025. Nearly half of the surveyed companies (48%) plan to expand their permanent workforce in the first half of the year, driven by business expansion (83%), the introduction of new roles (58%) and the replacement of outgoing staff (43%). Based on insights from 2,279 human resource (HR) professionals and employers, the Hiring, Compensation and Benefits Report 2025 is a comprehensive resource for employers, HR leaders and policymakers that helps them navigate and adapt to the evolving employment landscape. 'Businesses are approaching 2025 with cautious optimism, focusing heavily on flexibility, competitive compensation and strategic use of AI,' said Jobstreet by Seek Malaysia managing director Nicholas Lam. 'As AI becomes integral to recruitment processes, businesses must adopt it thoughtfully to ensure inclusivity and effectiveness,' he added. While confidence remains high for 2025, with 83% of companies planning business expansion, it's important to acknowledge that 2024 was a year of recalibration for many employers. Although 74% of respondents viewed the job market as active, 39% of companies reduced their workforce, with permanent full-time roles most affected. These retrenchments, right-sizing efforts and shifting strategies reflect a cautiously optimistic hiring landscape moving into the new year. In a statement today, Jobstreet by Seek Malaysia said in today's competitive job market, remuneration packages remain a key lever in attracting, retaining and motivating top talent. 'Employers are providing enhanced compensation and incentives, with over 75% of companies awarding performance bonuses in 2024, averaging two months' salary – up from 1.7 months previously. Additionally, 77% of businesses gave employees salary increments, aligning with Malaysia's inflation rate at 2.49%,' it added. It said in a bid to attract and retain talent, companies have upgraded their employee benefits packages with perks like replacement leave and additional parental leave. Additionally, 45% of employers now offer flexible working hours and family-friendly policies and facilities, including nursing rooms and medical coverage. The report disclosed that as AI becomes integral to modern recruitment, Malaysian employers are rapidly adapting – from assessing candidates' AI skills to deploying smart tools that optimise the hiring process. Today, 70% of Malaysian businesses evaluate candidates' AI knowledge during the hiring process, with 36% considering it a critical skill. Furthermore, 26% of recruiters use AI tools for tasks like job ad creation (71%), candidate screening (59%) and assessments (54%). However, 47% of businesses are hesitant to embrace AI due to the perceived lack of personalisation. Diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) is gaining momentum across Asia, and Malaysia is making meaningful strides. In 2024, the CEO Action Network launched a DEI Implementation Guide at Bursa Malaysia, reinforcing national efforts to build more inclusive workplaces. The 30% Club continues to drive change, with Corporate Malaysia now seeing 33% women on boards among the top 100 PLCs and 27.6% across all PLCs as of January 2025 – an encouraging sign of progress. Beyond the boardroom, more companies are beginning to embed DEI into their workplace culture. While 40% have formal DEI practices in place, adoption is steadily growing through initiatives like anti-discrimination policies (59%), unconscious bias training (53%), clear diversity goals (46%), and blind resume screenings (40%). The momentum is building, and the direction is clear. 'Employers in Malaysia are increasingly recognising DEI not just as a moral responsibility but also as a strategic business advantage,' Lam said. 'However, there is still considerable progress needed to embed these principles deeply within organisational cultures.' To stay competitive in the year ahead, Jobstreet by Seek encourages companies to broaden recruitment strategies to include part-time, contractual or freelance workers; align salary adjustments with inflation and industry benchmarks, based on insights from Seek's Talent Attraction Lab study; enhance employee benefits offerings with perks like flexible working arrangements, mental health leave and family-friendly policies and prioritise AI literacy, leveraging Seek's Decoding Global Talent 2024 report and initiatives under Malaysia's National Artificial Intelligence Roadmap 2021-2025 and HRD Corp initiatives besides strenthening DEI practices, leveraging tax incentives from Malaysia's Budget 2025 for measures supporting diversity, caregiving responsibilities and women returning to the workforce.
