About a third of over 15,000 workers in Singapore reported experiencing 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.
Mr 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.
MOM 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.
The Straits Times
