A study conducted by Intellect and Milieu Insight has unearthed a significant trend: one in five job seekers across Southeast Asia now view mental health benefits as a non-negotiable factor when considering job opportunities.
The study, titled 'How does workplace well-being support impact talent acquisition and retention?', also highlighted that nearly half (49%) of respondents reported feeling exhausted, with the Philippines reporting the highest levels of exhaustion (60%). Over the past year, 36% of employees reported experiencing mental distance, negativity, and cynicism towards their work.
Holistic well-being strategy
The study revealed that most (65%) employees consider taking a job without mental health benefits if the pay increase is at least 29% to make the switch, with Thailand ranking the highest at 50%.
"Employers in Southeast Asia are starting to make mental health benefits accessible, but an Employee Assistance Programme is not the be-all and end-all," said Theodoric Chew,co-founder and CEO of Intellect. "These benefits need to be reinforced by strong leadership, supportive policies, and a culture that prioritises well-being. Ultimately, a company's well-being strategy is only as strong as the culture and leadership behind it. When businesses foster truly supportive environments, they empower employees to thrive, stay engaged, and reach their full potential."
Employees in Southeast Asia place a high value on factors beyond mental health benefits. Leadership, workplace culture, and direct team support are also highly prized by employees.
Kelvin Li, CFO and co-founder of Milieu Insight, emphasised the weight of these factors, saying, "Workplace culture, leadership, and flexibility now play a critical role in career decisions, and companies that fail to address these areas may struggle with retention and engagement, even if they offer competitive pay."
Six-market study
The findings are based on Milieu Insight surveys with 6,000 employed respondents who work at least 35 hours a week from Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, and the Philippines (N=1000 each).
