Beyond flex: Singapore freelancers reshaping hustle culture

Source: The Straits Times
Author: Teo Kai Xiang

SINGAPORE - Changing workplace norms in a post-pandemic world have led to a more portable office.

A significant number of Singaporeans are prioritising flexi-work. A bi-annual survey by human resources firm Randstad of 27,000 Singaporeans between October and November 2023 revealed that nearly half - or 49 per cent - would quit their jobs if forced to return to the office more often.

Some two-thirds have also made major life decisions, such as moving house or getting pets, with the expectation that flexi-work options will continue.

In a sign of changing times, the Government announced in April new guidelines for flexible work arrangements, calling for employers to fairly consider flexi-work requests from December.

But some millennials and Gen Z are taking it a step further. They are eschewing nine-to-five work-days, even on flexi-terms, and opting out of scaling the conventional corporate ladder entirely.

For this new breed of freelancers, the flexibility to shape their work life on their own terms is key. The answer to work-life balance for them is self-employment, not flexi-work.

Take, for example, Ms Phyllis Tan, a Nanyang Technological University psychology graduate who has never held a full-time position as an employee. The 27-year-old is the ultimate multi-hyphenate, juggling a long list of gigs which includes emceeing, radio presenting, theatre, drama and speaking classes, mental health education and translation.