Introduction

In a remarkable display of dissatisfaction, a Singaporean woman took to Reddit to voice her friend's concerns about receiving a substantial 17% raise and a three-month bonus. The reaction? She declared it to be “a bad year.” This eye-opening complaint has sparked a conversation about workplace expectations in Singapore and has many questioning why such generous compensation is met with disapproval.

Context of Pay Raises in Singapore

This isn’t an isolated incident. The woman, sharing her experiences on the r/askSingapore forum, noted that it’s become increasingly common for employees—particularly in the banking sector, where the average raise typically hovers around 5-7%, and bonuses range from one to 1.2 months—to express discontent even when they receive above-average adjustments.

Employee Expectations and Discontent

“It seems to be the same story every year,” she lamented. “I thought that after years of working, one would have a good gauge of what is an average raise and bonus, but they are always disappointed.” She expressed concern over the pervasive sentiment in Singapore that drives people to feel unhappy, regardless of their financial gains, and pondered: what leads to such unrealistic expectations?

The Comparison Factor

The Reddit discussion revealed that many Singaporeans grapple with a mindset of constant comparison. One contributor emphasized this point: “People are not happy because they like to compare themselves to others who seem to be doing better.” It seems that rather than feeling satisfied, employees often focus on what others receive, creating a cycle of discontentment.

Varied Opinions on Fair Compensation

As participants debated what constitutes a fair increase, opinions varied widely. While one Redditor asserted that 3-5% increments are standard unless promotion is involved, another emphasized that bonuses are heavily influenced by both industry norms and individual performance.

Calls for Gratitude

Interestingly, amid these discussions, a handful of users expressed gratitude for any increase that helps them keep pace with Singapore's skyrocketing cost of living, with one user succinctly stating, “Any increase that beats inflation is good.”

Impact of Work Culture

In a related story, the pressures of high expectations and demanding workloads also surfaced on the forum. A fresh graduate shared that his job at one of the Big Four accounting firms was taking a toll on his mental health due to grueling hours that often extended into the early hours of the morning.

Conclusion

As the dialogue continues, it seems that what many Singaporeans perceive as generous bonuses or raises might not be enough for a populace that feels the weight of comparison and high expectations. This discontent raises an important question: How can workplaces in Singapore adapt to address and alleviate these feelings of dissatisfaction?