One in three Singapore workers reported facing work-related stress or burnout, according to govt data

SINGAPORE (The Straits Times/ANN): About a third of over 15,000 workers in Singapore reported facing work-related stress or burnout in 2024, based on data from a free online assessment tool by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) and several partners.

However, as it is optional for employers to let employees take the iWorkHealth assessment, the sample may not be fully reflective of the overall workforce or within specific industries, cautioned Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Manpower Shawn Huang.

MOM “does not systematically collect data on workplace burnout”, he said in Parliament on Sept 25.

He was responding to questions by Dr Charlene Chen (Tampines GRC) seeking data on the prevalence of employee burnout by sector and efforts to reduce pressure, especially in sectors in greater need of workers.

Launched in March 2021, iWorkHealth is a joint effort between MOM and the Workplace Safety and Health (WSH) Council, together with the Institute of Mental Health, Changi General Hospital and the Health Promotion Board.

Huang, who is also Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Finance, said the proportion of those who reported experiencing work-related stress or burnout has remained relatively stable since iWorkHealth was introduced.

The ministry and the WSH Council are also working with the labour movement and employers to encourage greater adoption of iWorkHealth so that more employers can better understand their employees’ state of mental well-being at work and offer relevant support, he added.

This is Huang’s first oral parliamentary reply in his MOM capacity since being appointed to the position after the 2025 General Election.

“While it is natural to feel overwhelmed at work from time to time, a conducive environment can help workers to reduce or overcome work stress,” said Mr Huang.

He also outlined measures MOM has put in place in hopes of promoting mental well-being at the workplace, including the Tripartite Advisory on Mental Health and Well-being at Workplaces, which offers practical guidance to employers and highlights available support measures.

The WSH Council also launched a Well-being Champions Network that allows companies to exchange best practices with each other, as well as offers access to resources and training to strengthen workplace mental well-being.

Huang also flagged the importance of making sound career decisions, as having a fulfilling, sustainable career mitigates the risk of stress or burnout.

He gave the example of Career Health SG, an initiative introduced under the SkillsFuture movement to help Singaporeans proactively find training, on-the-job learning and intentional career moves.

“The tools and resources available can help job seekers identify and seize opportunities to enter jobs that are more aligned with their aspirations and preferences, so that they can adopt a more sustainable pace of work and avoid the risk of burnout.”

Dr Chen then asked if there were more initiatives to support mental well-being that employers and employees could tap.

Huang replied that additional and actionable guidance that supplements the tripartite advisory, such as templates on creating safe spaces for conversations, is one initiative MOM has worked with partners, including the WSH Council, to roll out.

Another is the Total WSH programme, which provides organisations free access to mental well-being workshops, he added. – The Straits Times/ANN