Introduction

In a surprising twist of perspective, a Singaporean worker expressed her shock when a friend lamented about receiving a substantial 17% salary increase and a generous 3-month bonus, claiming, “it’s a bad year.” This heartfelt confession was shared on the Reddit forum r/askSingapore, shedding light on an unsettling trend among many professionals in the Lion City.

Dissatisfaction Despite Increments

The poster, who works in the banking sector where the average raise traditionally hovers around 5-7% with bonuses ranging from 1 to 1.2 months, noted that even colleagues benefitting from above-average increments still found grounds for dissatisfaction. “Year after year, I hear the same story. It makes me wonder if after several years in the workforce, people still lack a realistic understanding of what constitutes a good raise or bonus,” she commented, highlighting an underlying discontent among many workers.

Discussion on Salary Expectations

She opened up a discussion on the unrealistic salary expectations in Singapore, asking readers what they deemed to be a sensible increase. “In a city where the cost of living continually rises, it’s puzzling how many seem unhappy regardless of their financial boosts,” she mused.

Peer Comparison and Unhappiness

Responses on the forum revealed a common theme: a constant comparison among peers fuels dissatisfaction. One Redditor pointed out, “People become unhappy because they’re always comparing themselves to others. Even being at the top doesn’t guarantee contentment,” illustrating how the desire to benchmark against others can lead to perpetual unhappiness.

Variable Salary Increments

Another user added an interesting insight into the variables affecting salary increments: “Standard pay raises can range from 3-5 percent unless one receives a promotion, but this can vary widely depending on industry and individual performance.” They highlighted how a high-performing employee might view a 12-month bonus as inadequate if their past performance led to more significant rewards.

Pragmatic Perspectives

Interestingly, some users reported a more pragmatic outlook. As long as their raises and bonuses outpaced inflation, they were satisfied. “Any increase that beats inflation is good,” one poster succinctly encapsulated this sentiment.

The Broader Context of Job Satisfaction

This conversation comes at a time when the job market is shifting, and economic pressures are mounting. In another echo of these sentiments, a recent graduate working for one of the Big Four accounting firms shared on social media that the demanding workload and long hours have begun to take a toll on his mental health. “Working until the early hours has become the norm—a clear reflection of the brutal expectations within the industry,” he stated.

Conclusion

Overall, the discourse reveals a worrying trend: a mismatch between employee expectations and the realities of pay raises and bonuses in Singapore. As professionals consistently yearn for more—despite receiving increments that would be enviable elsewhere—the question remains: Is there a remedy for the pervasive dissatisfaction shadowing Singaporean workers, or is it a fundamental aspect of the fast-paced, competitive landscape they navigate?