<p>It was in December last year when a good friend of mine introduced me to ChatGPT. Like a well-meaning matchmaker, he explained how the chatbot could save me time spent on research work. He forwarded me over WhatsApp an example of a prompt he fed ChatGPT: “Create a world of about 25 unique species fighting for one energy source for 100 million years. The story should include love, war, and redemption.”</p><p>What ChatGPT came up with read like an elementary sci-fi novel by a novice. The short story included monotonous sections of an Introduction, The War, The Main Characters, The Final Battle, The Aftermath, and even a Conclusion.</p><p>The storyline certainly wasn’t gripping, and the narration was rough around the edges. The main characters didn’t even have names, for crying out loud. But the speed at how quickly the bot composed the story got me very curious.</p><p>And anxious.</p><blockquote><p>“I’ll be out of a job,” I muttered, horrified.</p></blockquote><p>“No, you won’t. The bot still needs humans to ask it questions. Don’t be scared, embrace it. Our role is to leverage AI and integrate it into our work. And not everyone knows how to ask the right questions,” he quipped.</p><p>I wasn’t quite convinced. I believe that machine learning grows at an exponential speed, and it wouldn’t be long before this chatbot starts churning out bestsellers (and quite possibly, snagging writing jobs from me). As a matter of fact, some individuals have already used ChatGPT to create e-books and offer them for sale on Amazon.</p><p>Over the next weeks, I interrogated ChatGPT (which is free to use for now) relentlessly and tested it with all sorts of questions that I could think of.</p><blockquote><p>“How does oxygen stratification affect shrimp farming?”</p><p>“What are the top 10 technologies that will impact the arms and ammunition industry in the future?”</p><p>“Write me a 100-word story about how crypto will rule the world and how AI will super-power all industries.”</p></blockquote><p>When ChatGPT responded with a convincing story in less than 4 seconds, I cautiously typed my next question with bated breath and almost timidly hit the ‘Enter’ key.</p><blockquote><p>“Will AI rule the world and take over jobs performed by humans?”</p></blockquote><p>&nbsp;</p><figure class="image"><img src="https://s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/chanceupon/public/images/editor/images/69/original/cu-chatgpt-conversation-1.jpg?1685791091"><figcaption>A conversation with ChatGPT</figcaption></figure><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Plausible. Job displacement. These keywords in the first paragraph were enough to cause me further anxiety.</p><blockquote><p>“Who ARE you?” I typed.</p></blockquote><p>&nbsp;</p><figure class="image"><img src="https://s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/chanceupon/public/images/editor/images/70/original/cu-chatgpt-conversation-2.jpg?1685791183"><figcaption>A conversation with ChatGPT</figcaption></figure><p>&nbsp;</p><p>While it is not a search engine, ChatGPT seems to have the ability to churn out straightforward responses to all kinds of questions, which can be very helpful for a writer. For example, ChatGPT goes straight to the point in answering how oxygen stratification affects shrimp farming. On Google, I had to sieve through several web results and peruse numerous articles for an answer. Don’t get me wrong, Google has dramatically changed the way the world accesses information. But it appears that while serving up tons of content in response to web searches, Google has left the sleuth work of finding the right answer to us, the users. ChatGPT, on the other hand, provides tailored answers that are forthright and to the point. Still, that doesn’t quite give ChatGPT a firm upper hand.</p><p>Preply (an online language tutoring marketplace) analyzed the performance on both ChatGPT and Google to determine which was smarter. Both platforms displayed different proficiency levels depending on the type of questions served, although ChatGPT scored higher when it came to mature and wiser-sounding responses. While its agile and straightforward replies may sound more thoughtful, some ChatGPT’s answers lack current relevancy compared to Google. For instance, if you would like to find out the best shows streaming on Netflix at the moment, ChatGPT is unable to give you the most up-to-date answer - for now.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><figure class="image"><img src="https://s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/chanceupon/public/images/editor/images/71/original/image-preply.png?1685791355"><figcaption>Image: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://preply.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Table_3-768x528.png"><span style="color:hsl(210,75%,60%);">Preply</span></a></figcaption></figure><p>&nbsp;</p><p>It is worth noting that this was before ChatGPT has access to the Internet. I’m pretty sure that when it does connect to the Internet, ChatGPT has a very good chance of dethroning Google as the go-to web search platform.</p><p>For now, I am inclined not to take ChatGPT’s every word for it. In fact, I almost always perform the same question search on Google for authenticity. &nbsp;You see, ChatGPT does not have direct access to the Internet to retrieve data in real-time. Although it is trained on large amounts of publicly available text data from the Internet and other written materials, it is unable to access events or information from the Internet after September 2021 - its knowledge cutoff date. However convincing ChatGPT may sound, it does generate wrong answers at times. As it is trained to respond with words it statistically predicts what should follow next, ChatGPT can often make up facts, or worse, guesses.</p><blockquote><p>I asked ChatGPT if it lies. I found its answer to be refreshingly candid for a chatbot.</p></blockquote><p>&nbsp;</p><figure class="image"><img src="https://s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/chanceupon/public/images/editor/images/72/original/cu-chatgpt-conversation-3.jpg?1685791484"><figcaption>A conversation with ChatGPT</figcaption></figure><p>&nbsp;</p><p>I wasn’t expecting a bot to be so frank and forthcoming with its flaws. It spoke with such plainness about its capabilities that one can’t help but feel empathetic should it make a mistake. ChatGPT’s ‘honesty’ if I may term it, felt like an accountability virtue that is sorely lacking even in some humans. Although its reply can also be viewed as a disclaimer, it is hard for one to fault a bot that puts an indemnity up front and not in fine print.</p><p>ChatGPT was equally honest when asked if it can draw intelligent conclusions about trends.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><figure class="image"><img src="https://s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/chanceupon/public/images/editor/images/73/original/image.png?1685791596"><figcaption>A conversation with ChatGPT</figcaption></figure><p>&nbsp;</p><p>In my humble opinion, this response authenticates the very core of AI intelligence. Intelligence lies in the human element. While AI can draw inferences from multiple data sources, the input still needs to come from humans. In interpreting perceptive conclusions about trends, AI lacks the breadth and depth of human intelligence and personal experience. After all, it is artificial intelligence.</p><h3>Do We Still Need Writers?</h3><p>When it comes to writing, ChatGPT or AI, in general, can certainly generate content effortlessly and provide much assistance in terms of research, story ideas, content, and even proofread an article on a whim. However, it lacks the unique individual writing styles and subjective opinions possessed only by human writers. The perceptivity, creativity, and flair of a human writer cannot be imitated nor replaced by an AI bot. A true blue writer has a compelling story to tell, personal experiences to share, wisdom to impart, and a legacy to leave behind.&nbsp;</p><h3>Am I wary of ChatGPT?</h3><p>To a certain extent, yes. As consumers of content, we are exposed to a multitude of information online, relevant and irrelevant. With the entry of ChatGPT which can generate human-like text, content creation will continue to grow in leaps and bounds. And herein lies the danger: when the responses are so human-like, there’s the risk of mistaking an inaccurate piece of information as the truth. This also begs a bigger question: will humans apply vigilance and responsibility in using such AI tools?</p><p>For now, I am embracing the advancement of AI and I look forward to seeing it grow in applications and transform industries. After all, when the big tech companies want to make it better, it can only get better. &nbsp;</p><p>P/S: This article was written entirely by a human. And by the way, we are looking for human writers. If you are a word-wielder confident of slaying ChatGPT at Wordle, drop us a message at <a href="hello@chanceupon.co"><span style="color:hsl(210,75%,60%);">hello@chanceupon.co</span></a>.</p>

<h3 style="text-align:center;"><span class="text-small">You may also like to browse through our e-shop for some ‘conversation-starter’ tees when you next return to the office.</span></h3><figure class="image image_resized" style="width:55.37%;"><img src="https://s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/chanceupon/public/images/editor/images/25/original/cu-merchandise-tee-shirts.gif?1620036546"></figure>

<h3 style="text-align:center;">There’s a better way to grow. And it’s not the traditional way.</h3><p style="text-align:center;">It’s about rethinking traditional employment archetypes. Can we progress from an economy built on full time employment habitually enslaved by unemployment fears, to one where individuals have greater autonomy and are self motivated to do work that inspires them? And as a result, &nbsp;benefit the economy as a whole?</p><p style="text-align:center;">You can’t own full time employees. But you can build a winning team with talent management companies. As businesses demand more, external talents are emerging as the sure forerunners of an agile workforce. At Chance Upon, we partner businesses to get a head start over competition by creating collaborative work between companies and the right talents.</p>

Can something be too much help? While ChatGPT seems eager to answer most questions and perhaps even has the potential to clear writer’s block, this overly helpful tool may be striking fear in most writers.

Hire anytime, hire anywhere. Hire exceptional.

ChatGPT is a chatbot. So why are writers threatened?

<p>We want to alert you that there is an ongoing scam that preys on job seekers and talents like yourselves. These scammers impersonate the Chanceupon brand and might contact you with prospects of an attractive job opportunity, in order to obtain personal information about you and/or ask for bank account information to claim your earnings. They may tell you that companies are hiring staff urgently and offer employment contracts/ lucrative job opportunities where you will be paid a commission to boost social media posts/ videos by liking these posts, optimizing apps so that the visibility of the apps will be enhanced, etc.</p><p>Job scams like these are on the rise, and it has come to our attention that scammers are currently targeting Chanceupon to reach out to potential job seekers. &nbsp;We would like to thank those who have alerted us to these scams. We have since lodged a police report.</p><p>If you have received suspicious Whatsapp messages relating to the above, or if you are unsure about the legitimacy of the job offer, we strongly encourage you to take a screenshot of the conversation and check in with us at <a href="hello@chanceupon.co"><span style="color:hsl(210, 75%, 60%);">hello@chanceupon.co</span></a>.</p><p>Please remember - Chanceupon will always use our official Chanceupon email addresses, such as <span style="color:hsl(210, 75%, 60%);">name@chanceupon.co</span> to send important information such as an employment contract.</p><h3>Our team would never ask you for any type of fee/ upfront payment, transfer cash or provide banking information. We will always reach out personally through an interview or an actual meeting before we present any job opportunities.</h3><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Scammers are always changing their tactics. We would like to better protect you from such scams and prevent them from happening.</p><h3>Here are some tips to help you spot a potential fraud message:</h3><ul><li>You were not expecting messages with job offers from us</li><li>The message comes from a number/name that you do not recognize</li><li>The message contains a job employment contract sent via WhatsApp or other social media platforms</li><li>The job offer seems like an easy job with overly lucrative commissions</li><li>The message contains link/s, attachments, surveys, or downloadable apps from unverified sources</li><li>The job offer requires you to create/register an account on a website to carry out said tasks on a dubious website/ URL</li><li>The message requests that you join a group chat where other job seekers share screenshots of their ‘earnings’</li><li>It requests you to transfer funds to unknown bank accounts</li><li>It requests your personal information, such as your CV and personal banking details to claim your ‘earnings’</li><li>The job description looks like an easy job, and is vague and poorly written</li><li>The message contains grammatical and spelling errors and is poorly written</li></ul><h3>To help you check the legitimacy of an URL or website:</h3><ul><li>Use <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.scamadviser.com"><span style="color:hsl(210, 75%, 60%);">https://www.scamadviser.com</span></a> to help you find out if an URL/ website is legitimate or is a potential scam</li><li>Verify the SSL certificate by clicking on the padlock icon on the left side of the URL. If it is missing a padlock icon, this could potentially be a scam URL.</li></ul><h3>If you think you are a victim of a job scam:</h3><ul><li>Take a screenshot of the conversation and report it to us at <a href="hello@chanceupon.co"><span style="color:hsl(210, 75%, 60%);">hello@chanceupon.co</span></a>.</li><li>If money has been transferred to the scammers, contact your bank immediately.</li></ul><h3>Report it:</h3><p>If you have information regarding such suspicious activity or scams, please call the Police hotline at 1800-255-0000, or submit it online at <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.police.gov.sg/iwitness"><span style="color:hsl(210, 75%, 60%);">www.police.gov.sg/iwitness</span></a>.</p>

<h3>Here is an article from TODAY that details <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.todayonline.com/singapore/i-responded-scammers-offering-me-lucrative-job-offers-was-what-happened-1795246"><span style="color:hsl(210,75%,60%);">how job scammers are operating</span></a>. If you find yourself in a similar situation, please stop responding immediately to such suspicious text messages or calls.</h3>

Have you been recently contacted by a suspicious WhatsApp message from someone claiming to be a recruiter from Chanceupon?

Scam Alert Announcement

<p>So, you’ve gone freelance.</p><p>Jobs are coming in and you’re booked for months of assignments. All seems well and rosy, your rent and bills are paid and you can even afford a holiday abroad. Some days are so busy that you find yourself wondering if you can even take on more work.</p><p>Then the inevitable happens. As the end of your current gig draws near, you start feeling anxious about where you will find your next work.</p><p>You’re not alone. For many freelancers, dry spells are common and can be extremely nerve-wracking. Freelance work isn’t guaranteed and to ensure that you always have work on the horizon, you really can’t get complacent. You need to be proactive and be on a constant lookout for opportunities to live and fight another day.</p><p>Here’s what you can do when freelance work is drying up.</p>

<h2>1. Don’t Panic</h2><p>When gig work starts to ebb, even the most confident freelancers can experience self-doubts. Instead of burrowing deeper into the rabbit hole by going into panic mode, take this time to evaluate what went wrong. Ask your clients for honest feedback. Find out from your sources why you aren’t getting referrals like before. A self-check is always wise to identify the problem. Get help and support. Find other freelancers from groups or online forums and communities, they may have valuable advice for you from their past experiences.</p><p>This is also the time to review your current financial situation. How long can you sustain without work? Can you cut back on unnecessary expenses in the meantime? What avenues can get you new work? Do you need to upskill? Questions like these help you think about how you can move forward in your game plan.</p><h2>2. Spring Clean</h2><p>Spring cleaning your business is a chance to hit that reset button on your gig career. Now’s the time to pay attention to all the tasks that you had put off when you were busy. Sort out your accounting, taxation, invoices, and bill your clients. When all these administrative tasks are resolved, you’ll be in a better state of mind to plan your next move.</p><h2>3. Update Your Resume and Sharpen Your Profile</h2><p>Add your most recent achievements and gig work experience to your resume. Update your profile on LinkedIn and other work marketplaces to stand out from your competition. An outdated profile will most definitely be overlooked by hirers and what you need right now is a spotlight on your professional achievements. Most importantly, are you making it clear on your profile that you are available and actively looking for work? Remember, a clear call to action will determine if you get work (and pay) or none.</p><h2>4. Review Your Business</h2><p>All businesses need a review now and then. As a freelancer, your business is YOU. That makes it even more important to evaluate your business model to determine if it needs any changes. Are you undercharging for your services? Are your services still relevant or do you need upskilling in some areas? Perhaps coaching can help in some aspects of your business. Can you utilize a subscription model to scale your business?</p><p>Do clients want something else other than what you are currently offering? Is there an opportunity to partner with someone else for a synergistic offering? For instance, a marketeer could join forces with a developer and a designer to provide companies with branding, web design &amp; development, and SEO services. Take a look at your previous and current gigs, are they all project-based? Are there ways to get your clients on a retainer?</p><h2>5. Network</h2><p>This needs no introduction. Networking is a means to stay visible so that you are seen by the right people. Building the right connections works wonders for your business. If your immediate circle is maxed out, expand your network. Connect with other freelancers or remote workers, talent agencies, and recruiters through events or on social media. The more people you know, the more opportunities you will find.</p><h2>6. Reconnect With Past Clients</h2><p>One of the quickest and easiest ways to secure work is to get in touch with past clients. Furthermore, reaching out to them requires less time and effort than chasing new clients. It’s much easier to sell your offerings to people who have worked with you, are happy with your work, and trust you. Who knows? Your services may just be what they need when you touch base with them. And even if they don’t, reconnecting with ex-clients puts you back on their minds if something does come up. Take the opportunity to ask them if they are willing to recommend you to others. Don’t be afraid to ask! Pride can’t feed hunger. You’re not begging, you are offering something of value that someone else may need.</p><h2>7. Explore Other Income Streams</h2><p>Think about what you are currently offering in your business. Say you are a web designer. Can you teach your skills? This might be the time to create relevant content such as tutorials on designing SEO-friendly websites/ tips and tricks for an e-commerce website design etc. Perhaps you can run virtual classes and invite participants to sell their best web design submissions to you for a minimal cost (rights included). You could then fine-tune the designs, partner with a web developer, and market them as affordable, ready-to-use templates for start-up companies. For all you know, this might spin off into a new stream of income.</p><h2>A Dry Spell Isn’t The End</h2><p>Sometimes, a dry spell can give you the time to re-evaluate your business, re-purpose your offering, and even spur creative thinking on how to get your mojo back. To keep the work coming, feeling sorry for yourself does nothing for your esteem and your pocket. Take action instead. The cure to getting through this challenging period is to take actionable steps to prevent your freelance work from drying out.</p><p><i>You might be interested to find out more about us. We are a remote-friendly gig company that connects top talents with great companies. </i><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.chanceupon.co/apply-as-a-talent"><span style="color:hsl(210, 75%, 60%);"><i>Chat with us</i></span></a><i> if you are currently experiencing dry spells in your freelance journey.</i></p>

Freelance work can have dry spells. Here’s what you can do about it.

Help! My freelance work is drying up!

<h4><span style="color:hsl(0,0%,60%);"><strong>Footnotes</strong></span></h4><p>The facts and figures presented in this report are accurate as of the date of writing 7 Feb 2023.</p><h4><span style="color:hsl(0,0%,60%);"><strong>References</strong></span></h4><ul><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://resources.owllabs.com/hubfs/SORW/SORW_2021/owl-labs_state-of-remote-work-2021_report-final.pdf?utm_campaign=State%20of%20Remote%20Work%202021&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;_hsmi=180908804&amp;_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_QqLl-7bQetJbJYOdCoskUzSr2pErrPvrTL353dUDu9e3aetTHyMlktMDf-N_opd0g0eg2lZzzzMM4MFaCkoOPa9Edt73hZO7QXJGYUaOVMIId_nk&amp;utm_content=180908804&amp;utm_source=hs_automation"><span style="color:hsl(210,75%,60%);">State of Remote Work 2021</span></a>, 5th Annual Edition, Owl Labs</li><li>Press Release <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ey.com/en_id/news/2021/07/majority-of-surveyed-southeast-asia-sea-employees-prefer-not-to-return1"><span style="color:hsl(210,75%,60%);">Majority of surveyed Southeast Asia (SEA) employees prefer not to return to pre-COVID-19 ways of working</span></a>, Ernst &amp; Young (13 Jul 2021)</li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2023/01/global-recession-economic-outlook-2023/"><span style="color:hsl(210,75%,60%);">Recession in 2023? That depends on where you are in the world</span></a>, World Economic Forum, (16 Jan 2023)</li><li>David Lawder, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.reuters.com/markets/world-bank-warns-global-economy-could-easily-tip-into-recession-2023-2023-01-10/"><span style="color:hsl(210,75%,60%);">World Bank warns global economy could tip into recession in 2023</span></a>, Reuters, (11 Jan 2023)</li><li>Annie Palmer, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.cnbc.com/2023/01/18/amazon-set-to-begin-new-round-of-layoffs-affecting-over-18000-people.html"><span style="color:hsl(210,75%,60%);">Amazon set to begin new round of layoffs affecting more than 18,000 people</span></a>, CNBC, (18 Jan 2023)</li><li>Ryan Browne, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.cnbc.com/2023/01/20/google-to-lay-off-12000-people-memo-from-ceo-sundar-pichai-says.html"><span style="color:hsl(210,75%,60%);">Google to lay off 12,000 people — read the memo CEO Sundar Pichai sent to staff</span></a>, CNBC, (20 Jan 2023)</li><li>Jordan Novet, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.cnbc.com/2023/01/18/microsoft-is-laying-off-10000-employees.html"><span style="color:hsl(210,75%,60%);">Microsoft is laying off 10,000 employees</span></a>, CNBC, (18 Jan 2023)</li><li>Jonathan Vanian, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.cnbc.com/2022/11/09/meta-to-lay-off-more-than-11000-thousand-employees.html"><span style="color:hsl(210,75%,60%);">Meta laying off more than 11,000 employees: Read Zuckerberg’s letter announcing the </span></a>cuts, CNBC, (9 Nov 2022)</li><li>Beatrice Nolan, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/elon-musk-twitter-employees-return-to-office-remote-work-2022-11"><span style="color:hsl(210,75%,60%);">Elon Musk tells Twitter employees to return to the office or their resignations will be accepted</span></a>, Business Insider, (11 Nov 2022)</li><li>Amelia Lucas, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.cnbc.com/2023/01/11/starbucks-orders-return-to-office.html"><span style="color:hsl(210,75%,60%);">Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz tells corporate workers to return to the office 3 days a week</span></a>, CNBC, (11 Jan 2023)</li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.reuters.com/business/apple-sets-sept-5-deadline-employees-return-office-bloomberg-2022-08-15/"><span style="color:hsl(210,75%,60%);">Apple sets Sept 5 deadline for employees to return to office - Bloomberg</span></a>, Reuters, (16 Aug 2022)</li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://globalworkplaceanalytics.com/cut-oil"><span style="color:hsl(210,75%,60%);">Telecommuting Could Save U.S. Over $700 Billion a Year and Much More</span></a>, Global Workplace Analytics</li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/real-estate/our-insights/americans-are-embracing-flexible-work-and-they-want-more-of-it"><span style="color:hsl(210,75%,60%);">Americans are embracing flexible work - and they want more of it</span></a>, McKinsey &amp; Company, (23 Jun 2022)</li><li>April Marks, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://envoy.com/blog/envoy-return-to-workplace-report-reveals-work-flexibility-is-new-hr-benefit/"><span style="color:hsl(210,75%,60%);">Envoy Return to the Workplace Report reveals work flexibility is the new employee benefit</span></a>, Envoy, (24 Jan 2022)</li><li>Mathew Mathews, Fiona Phoa, Mike Hou and Elizabeth Lim, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://lkyspp.nus.edu.sg/docs/default-source/ips/working-paper-45_attitudes-towards-work-and-workplace-arrangements-amidst-covid-19-in-singapore.pdf"><span style="color:hsl(210,75%,60%);">Attitudes towards work and workplace arrangements amidst Covid-19 in Singapore</span></a>, IPS Working Papers No. 45, (Apr 2022)</li><li>Kurt Wagner and Edward Ludlow, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-11-06/twitter-now-asks-some-fired-workers-to-please-come-back"><span style="color:hsl(210,75%,60%);">Twitter Now Asks Some Fired Workers to Please Come Back</span></a>, Bloomberg, (7 Nov 2022)<br>&nbsp;</li></ul>

<p>It has been almost three years since the pandemic catapulted remote work into the limelight: not just as a trend, but as the future of work. During the pandemic, companies were forced to embrace remote work with much reluctance, but with surprising success. Remote work tore down borders and time zones, snagged the best talents, and resulted in greater productivity, growth and innovation. A report by <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://resources.owllabs.com/hubfs/SORW/SORW_2021/owl-labs_state-of-remote-work-2021_report-final.pdf?utm_campaign=State%20of%20Remote%20Work%202021&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;_hsmi=180908804&amp;_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_QqLl-7bQetJbJYOdCoskUzSr2pErrPvrTL353dUDu9e3aetTHyMlktMDf-N_opd0g0eg2lZzzzMM4MFaCkoOPa9Edt73hZO7QXJGYUaOVMIId_nk&amp;utm_content=180908804&amp;utm_source=hs_automation"><span style="color:hsl(210,75%,60%);">Owl Labs</span></a> in 2021 surveyed 2,050 full-time workers in the U.S. and found that 90% of respondents that worked from home during the pandemic said they were as productive, or more, working remotely when compared to the office. <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ey.com/en_id/news/2021/07/majority-of-surveyed-southeast-asia-sea-employees-prefer-not-to-return1"><span style="color:hsl(210,75%,60%);">Ernst &amp; Young</span></a> surveyed more than 16,000 employees across 16 countries and revealed similar sentiments: the majority of respondents agreed that a new mix of onsite and remote work would increase the company’s productivity (73%) and creativity (75%).</p><p>Employers competed for talent by raising pay and were quick to yield to employees on preferred work conditions. The new norm of work had placed bargaining power in the hands of workers. Hiring good talents grew increasingly tough, job-hopping became a trend and quiet quitting was the rage.</p>

<h2>&nbsp;</h2><h2>Recession Blues And Remote Work Doubts</h2><p>Fears of a recession amidst a tight labor market are now making companies rethink how they operate. The <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2023/01/global-recession-economic-outlook-2023/"><span style="color:hsl(210,75%,60%);">World Economic Forum</span></a> has painted a gloomy outlook with 63% expecting a global recession this year, while the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.reuters.com/markets/world-bank-warns-global-economy-could-easily-tip-into-recession-2023-2023-01-10/"><span style="color:hsl(210,75%,60%);">World Bank</span></a> has predicted global GDP growth of 1.7% in 2023, the slowest pace outside the 2009 and 2020 recessions since 1993. As recession fears mount, companies are laying off workers to reduce costs and pulling the brakes on hiring. The tech industry is facing a new reality with a string of massive layoffs. Amazon has announced plans to lay off <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.cnbc.com/2023/01/18/amazon-set-to-begin-new-round-of-layoffs-affecting-over-18000-people.html"><span style="color:hsl(210,75%,60%);">more than 18,000 employees</span></a>, and Google has cut <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.cnbc.com/2023/01/20/google-to-lay-off-12000-people-memo-from-ceo-sundar-pichai-says.html"><span style="color:hsl(210,75%,60%);">12,000 people from its workforce</span></a>. Microsoft is letting go of <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.cnbc.com/2023/01/18/microsoft-is-laying-off-10000-employees.html"><span style="color:hsl(210,75%,60%);">10,000 employees</span></a> before the end of March this year, while Meta has cut <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.cnbc.com/2022/11/09/meta-to-lay-off-more-than-11000-thousand-employees.html"><span style="background-color:rgb(255,255,255);color:hsl(210,75%,60%);">13% of its staff</span></a> (more than 11,000 employees).</p><figure class="image image_resized" style="width:67.02%;"><img src="https://s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/chanceupon/public/images/editor/images/68/original/5AW7RNGmRnO3C473DstbAkctmuh62qsNwMYLvFBk2kY.png?1680087310"><figcaption>Source: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2023/01/global-recession-economic-outlook-2023/"><span style="color:hsl(210,75%,60%);">World Economic Forum</span></a></figcaption></figure><p>&nbsp;</p><h2>“See You Back In The Office.”</h2><p>High-profile CEOs are demanding to see workers back in the office. <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/elon-musk-twitter-employees-return-to-office-remote-work-2022-11"><span style="color:hsl(210,75%,60%);">Elon Musk</span></a> famously told Twitter employees that not showing up in the office amounted to a resignation. <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.cnbc.com/2023/01/11/starbucks-orders-return-to-office.html"><span style="color:hsl(210,75%,60%);">Starbucks</span></a> ordered corporate employees within commuting distance to return to the office at least three days a week. <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.reuters.com/business/apple-sets-sept-5-deadline-employees-return-office-bloomberg-2022-08-15/"><span style="color:hsl(210,75%,60%);">Apple</span></a> CEO Tim Cook mandated that workers return to the office at least three days a week to restore “in-person collaboration”.</p><p>With behemoths announcing job cuts and expecting employees back in offices, other companies are following suit. Employees who were 100% or partially remote are reassessing their situations, with some realizing that they will have to do what it takes (including going back to the office) to keep their current jobs, or risk being made redundant in the face of a looming recession.</p><p>Will this signal the end of remote work?</p><p>&nbsp;</p><h2>Employers Are Weighing The Costs of Remote Work</h2><p>Employers with unused and expensive office space are seeing empty offices as a huge liability and will attempt to force people to return to their offices. Furthermore, remote working involves security challenges that require new IT and software purchases. While remote work allows for greater flexibility, there is also an increased risk of cyber threats such as unsecured wi-fi networks, phishing attacks, malware, and hacks which can lead to data theft, productivity losses, and huge downtime costs. To counter this, there is a need for companies to invest in cybersecurity solutions which may increase upfront costs. (Though many companies are likely to have accounted for these costs in the course of the pandemic.)</p><p>&nbsp;</p><h2>Can The Benefits of Remote Work Outweigh Its Costs?</h2><p>As the economy slows down and cost-cutting measures become a priority for most companies, the benefits of remote work may be conveniently glossed over by cost-conscious organizations. There is no easy answer as to whether organizations should be bearing the financial costs of remote work. What is clear, however, is that allowing employees to work remotely or do hybrid work has huge benefits for companies that cannot be ignored.</p><p>Many companies are looking for ways to keep the work going without increasing pay. And remote work is emerging as a win-win alternative for both employers and employees. According to an analysis by Global Workplace Analytics, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://globalworkplaceanalytics.com/cut-oil"><span style="color:hsl(210,75%,60%);">remote work could save US companies $500 billion annually in real estate, electricity, absenteeism, and turnover and productivity, which works out to more than $11,000 an employee per year.</span></a></p><p>A <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/real-estate/our-insights/americans-are-embracing-flexible-work-and-they-want-more-of-it"><span style="color:hsl(210,75%,60%);">McKinsey survey</span></a> reported that 87% of U.S. employees are embracing the opportunity to work remotely if offered. In another recent <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://envoy.com/blog/envoy-return-to-workplace-report-reveals-work-flexibility-is-new-hr-benefit/"><span style="color:hsl(210,75%,60%);">Return to Workplace Report</span></a>, flexibility is the most empowering benefit for employees as it gives them more control over their work-life balance. Remote work flexibility allows employees the option to work remotely rather than take a day off from the office to attend to personal or family needs. Such flexible work arrangements are so much-appreciated that employees are willing to accept lower salaries in favor of remote work flexibility. A local survey by <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://lkyspp.nus.edu.sg/docs/default-source/ips/working-paper-45_attitudes-towards-work-and-workplace-arrangements-amidst-covid-19-in-singapore.pdf"><span style="color:hsl(210,75%,60%);">IPS</span></a> (Institute of Policy Studies) on 2,000 Singaporeans and PRs revealed that workers will find a new job if they are required to return to the office when their preference is for greater work flexibility.</p><p>Companies are now delicately balancing workers’ preferences for greater autonomy on where and how they want to work versus a back-to-office mandate. They are now seeing the value in hybrid work arrangements and how it contributes to the greater psychological well-being of employees. Furthermore, a hybrid approach allows an organization to hire talent from anywhere in the world, which gives companies a competitive advantage to navigate new markets while continuing to drive employee engagement and productivity.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><h2>To Remote Or Not To Remote</h2><p>In preparation for the possibility of a recession, many companies have insisted that employees return to the office, only to reverse that decision after realizing that they will lose some of their best talents. (Twitter has asked some fired employees to return to work last November.)</p><p>Employers must understand that offices should no longer be viewed as “productive places for employees to produce output”. Remote work has cemented its role in the workforce, and proven that (more) productive work can be produced.</p><p>A slump in the economy will hardly hinder the climb of remote work. In my humble opinion, it might even accelerate the rise of remote work in the next decades.</p><p>Are you looking out for remote work opportunities? You’ve landed yourself in the right place. We are a remote-friendly gig company that connects top talents with great companies. <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.chanceupon.co/apply-as-a-talent"><span style="color:hsl(210,75%,60%);">Chat with us</span></a> to find out how we can help.</p>

Remote work has triumphed over a pandemic. But can it stand up to a recession?

Fears of a looming recession have sparked off predictions about the end of remote work and suggest a power shift back to employers. Will we all be returning to the office?

Can Remote Work Survive A Recession?

<h4><span style="color:hsl(0, 0%, 60%);">References</span></h4><ul><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.gallup.com/workplace/349484/state-of-the-global-workplace-2022-report.aspx#ite-393218"><span style="color:hsl(210, 75%, 60%);">State of the Global Workplace Report 2022</span></a>, Gallup (2022 Report)</li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www2.deloitte.com/content/dam/Deloitte/global/Documents/deloitte-2022-genz-millennial-survey.pdf"><span style="color:hsl(210, 75%, 60%);">The Deloitte’s Global 2022 Gen Z &amp; Millennial Survey</span></a>, Deloitte 2022</li></ul>

<p>Post-Covid and throngs of professionals have mass exited the labor market, driving a Great Resignation movement across the globe. People are abandoning their jobs and switching professions, and remote work is on the rise. There is a great reset in how we think about work as we re-assess our careers and re-evaluate our life priorities.</p><p>Then, amongst those who are taking action to leave their burnt-out lifestyles behind, a group of workers remains - unmotivated and unwilling to do more than what they are required to in their current jobs. They are indifferent to what is happening around them in their companies, believing that doing just their jobs is enough.</p><p>They are the ‘<strong>Quiet Quitters</strong>’.</p><h2>&nbsp;</h2><h2>This Loud Silence Called Quiet Quitting</h2><p>The Great Resignation delivered a strong global message that employees are not willing to settle for being unhappy at work and will leave their jobs in search of greener pastures. While the Great Resignation is deafeningly clear in its intention, Quiet Quitting and its silent participants choose to protest in a rather passive manner. TikTok user <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.tiktok.com/@zaidleppelin/video/7124414185282391342?amp%3Bis_from_webapp=v1&amp;is_copy_url=1&amp;is_from_webapp=v1&amp;item_id=7124414185282391342"><span style="color:hsl(210, 75%, 60%);">zaidleppelin</span></a>, whose post has helped the phrase ‘quiet quitting’ go viral, described quiet quitting as “not outright quitting your job, but quitting the idea of going above and beyond.”</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p><p>Quiet quitting isn’t new. It may be hyped up in its newfound popularity, but quiet quitting has been happening for decades. Quite simply, it represents employee disengagement in the form of a silent protest. Quiet quitters exist amongst us in our offices: their poker faces reveal little about what’s going through their minds. They are unenthusiastic about company plans or upcoming projects, disengaged from work, and put in only the bare minimum in &nbsp;effort and hours. They don’t necessarily fall into the category of ‘slackers’ since they are still performing their duties; they just don’t go the extra mile. Effectively, they are pulling back boundaries to only cover what is required of their job descriptions. Anything more and their apathetic attitudes let out what they think about additional work.</p><h2>&nbsp;</h2><h2>Quiet Quitters Don’t Quit Their Jobs</h2><p>The term ‘quiet quitters’ is a misnomer since quiet quitters don’t actually leave their jobs. They may have made a mental note to do so, but if their quiet-quitting strategy works, they are staying put in their roles, earning their keep, and getting on with their lives. They will not put in more effort than their salary is worth, and are certainly not going to answer work emails or Slack messages after work hours.</p><h2>&nbsp;</h2><h2>Disengaged Quiet Quitters Are Costing The Economy Trillions</h2><p>In Gallup’s State of the Global Workplace Report 2022, global employee engagement and well-being are currently stagnating, having been on the rise for almost a decade. 60% of the world’s workers are emotionally detached at work and 19% are miserable (actively disengaged). That’s rather telling of the state of mental and emotional connection that employees feel towards their work and organizations. On another dismaying note, low engagement alone is costing the global economy US$7.8 trillion. Now, that’s immediate cause for alarm.</p><p>Quiet quitting is a fresh can of worms that cannot be ignored. Its disengaged parties and their perceived silence are causing a ruckus at an extremely high cost.</p><h2>&nbsp;</h2><h2>Quiet Quitting Is Raising Troubled Waves Globally</h2><p>The idea of rejecting “hustle culture” is resonating with most Gen Z workers who are looking to invest their time and energy outside of work. In <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www2.deloitte.com/content/dam/Deloitte/global/Documents/deloitte-2022-genz-millennial-survey.pdf"><span style="color:hsl(210, 75%, 60%);">Deloitte’s Global 2022 Gen Z &amp; Millennial Survey</span></a>, the study revealed a clear preference for better work/life balance and more flexible working amongst Gen Zs and millennials. 75% of them indicate that they would like to have the option to work remotely to spend more time with family and to do other things they care about.</p><p>Last year, the concept of ‘quiet quitting’ also swept through China as a new wave of younger workers rebel against the traditional mindset that a successful life depends on hard work. &nbsp;With many feeling underpaid and overworked amid the rising costs of living, this younger generation is choosing to lie flat and defy societal pressures to overwork. Tang ping or ‘lying flat’ involves doing as little as possible, living minimally without chasing material comforts, and deliberately choosing a slower lifestyle. This, of course, does not bode well with the Chinese government, which sees this phenomenon as a threat to the country’s social stability.</p><p>Elsewhere in the world, quiet quitting is also fast garnering supporters. The act of performing the bare minimum at work makes total sense as it creates healthy boundaries and allows employees to pursue activities outside of work. After all, when one does only what one is paid to do during stipulated work hours, then the employee is deemed to have fulfilled his basic employment requirement. To find fault with that will be unreasonable.</p><p>Perhaps the Great Resignation trend has empowered many to claim back their lives from work. Or that workers are now reflecting on the true value of life. Having survived a pandemic and suffering major burnout from overworking the past two years, employees are now making a conscious effort to carve out time for self-care. But, is quiet quitting merely creating healthy boundaries for better work/ life balance?</p><p>Or is it something more?</p><h2>&nbsp;</h2><h2>Where Are We Going Towards with Quiet Quitting?</h2><p>As quiet quitters passively defend their choice to step back from work in pursuit of work/life balance, employers and organizations need to recognize it as a silent cry for growth opportunities, recognition incentives, flexibility at work, mental health help, etc. Quiet quitters in the workplace are like festering tumor cells, benign unless companies take the initiative to address deeper issues such as burnout, fatigue, disengagement, inflexibility, or lack of growth opportunities. With looming worries of an economic slowdown, productivity (or a lack of it) is of utmost importance to the world’s economy.</p><h2>&nbsp;</h2><h2>So, is Quiet Quitting Worth It?</h2><p>While this wave of silent protest is causing the world to take notice, employees who engage in quiet quitting are silencing their own voices to be heard. This can prove counterproductive and harm careers in the long run. Choosing to keep silent and doing the bare minimum at work, while staying in a ‘loveless’ job does nothing for the soul. A nonchalant approach to work can rob individuals of the opportunity to create change in organizations. More importantly, it prevents them from actively seeking out jobs that will bestow meaning in their lives.</p><p>The real question at hand here is not whether quiet quitting is worth it. Rather, making work-life work is the secret sauce to more enjoyable work and therefore, a more fulfilling life.</p><p>Silence may not be golden after all.</p><p>You might be interested to know: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.chanceupon.co/blog/33/time-to-leave-a-shty-workplace"><span style="color:hsl(210, 75%, 60%);">Time To Leave A Sh**ty Workplace.</span></a></p>

Quiet quitting represents employee disengagement in the form of a silent protest.

Following hot on the heels of the Great Resignation comes Quiet Quitting. While the Great Resignation is an indication of what we are leaving behind, where are we going with Quiet Quitting?

The Costs of Quiet Quitting Are Loud and Clear

<h4><span style="color:hsl(0, 0%, 60%);">References</span></h4><ul><li>Shawn Baldwin, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.cnbc.com/2021/10/19/the-great-resignation-why-people-are-quitting-their-jobs.html"><span style="color:hsl(210,75%,60%);">The Great Resignation: Why millions of workers are quitting</span></a>, CNBC (19 Oct 2021)</li><li>Jeff Cox, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.cnbc.com/2022/05/03/job-openings-and-the-level-of-people-quitting-their-jobs-reached-records-in-march.html"><span style="color:hsl(210,75%,60%);">Job openings and the level of people quitting their jobs reached records in March, CNBC</span></a> (3 May 2022)</li><li>Oscar Williams-Grut, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.standard.co.uk/business/great-resignation-uk-rate-deutsche-bank-sanjay-raja-b978084.html"><span style="color:hsl(210,75%,60%);">‘Great resignation’ sends UK quit rate to highest since 2009</span></a>, Evening Standard (23 Jan 2022)</li><li>Eliza Haverstock, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://theorg.com/iterate/french-workers-have-led-the-world-during-the-great-resignation-why"><span style="color:hsl(210,75%,60%);">French Workers Have Led the World During the Great Resignation. Why?</span></a> (31 May 2022)</li><li>Stephen Jonhson, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10650701/Proof-Great-Resignation-happening-Australia.html"><span style="color:hsl(210,75%,60%);">Proof the Great Resignation IS actually happening in Australia - as bosses are warned: ‘Be alarmed’</span></a>, MailOnline (25 Mar 2022)</li><li>Bryan Ng, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.todayonline.com/singapore/nearly-quarter-spore-workers-intend-quit-their-jobs-first-half-2022-survey-1775126"><span style="color:hsl(210,75%,60%);">Nearly a quarter of S'pore workers intend to quit their jobs in first half of 2022: Survey</span></a>, Today (20 Dec 2021)</li><li>Anders Melin and Misyrlena Egkolfopoulou, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-06-01/return-to-office-employees-are-quitting-instead-of-giving-up-work-from-home"><span style="color:hsl(210,75%,60%);">Employees Are Quitting Instead of Giving Up Working From Home</span></a>, Bloomberg (1 Jun 2021)</li><li>Rachel Pelta, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.flexjobs.com/blog/post/survey-resignation-workers-considering-quitting-jobs/"><span style="color:hsl(210,75%,60%);">Great Resignation: Survey Finds 1 in 3 Are Considering Quitting Their Jobs</span></a>, Flexjobs</li><li>Donald Sull, Charles Sull, and Ben Zweig, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://sloanreview.mit.edu/article/toxic-culture-is-driving-the-great-resignation/"><span style="color:hsl(210,75%,60%);">Toxic Culture Is Driving the Great Resignation</span></a>, MITSloan Management Review, (11 Jan 2022)</li><li>Esther Au Yong, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://sg.finance.yahoo.com/news/singapore-quitting-retirement-delay-prudential-093937430.html"><span style="color:hsl(210,75%,60%);">​​1 in 5 Singaporeans quitting job expects 6-year retirement delay: Prudential survey</span></a>, Yahoo Finance (22 Jun 2022)</li></ul>

<p>The labor market seems almost resigned to its fate brought about by <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.cnbc.com/2021/10/19/the-great-resignation-why-people-are-quitting-their-jobs.html"><span style="color:hsl(210,75%,60%);">The Great Resignation</span></a>. Qualified, experienced professionals have been leaving in hordes since early 2021, with no signs of abating.</p><p>The numbers tell it all. In the United States, a record <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.cnbc.com/2022/05/03/job-openings-and-the-level-of-people-quitting-their-jobs-reached-records-in-march.html"><span style="color:hsl(210,75%,60%);">4.5 million workers</span></a> voluntarily quit their jobs in March. Globally, this trend is manifesting in the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.standard.co.uk/business/great-resignation-uk-rate-deutsche-bank-sanjay-raja-b978084.html"><span style="color:hsl(210,75%,60%);">United Kingdom</span></a>, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://theorg.com/iterate/french-workers-have-led-the-world-during-the-great-resignation-why"><span style="color:hsl(210,75%,60%);">France</span></a>, and <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10650701/Proof-Great-Resignation-happening-Australia.html"><span style="color:hsl(210,75%,60%);">Australia</span></a>. Last December, a survey by job portal Indeed revealed that <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.todayonline.com/singapore/nearly-quarter-spore-workers-intend-quit-their-jobs-first-half-2022-survey-1775126"><span style="color:hsl(210,75%,60%);">nearly a quarter of Singaporean workers were planning to call it quits</span></a> in the first half of 2022, signaling that Singapore could face the same ‘Great Resignation’ trend that is raging in the United States and Europe. Almost half of the 1,002 respondents surveyed were unsure if they would remain in their current jobs over the next six months. 49 percent of workers cited the pandemic as a major push in their decision to quit as it made them realize that they didn’t like their current jobs. A substantial number attributed their unhappiness to increased stress levels, heavier workloads, burnout, and isolation.</p><p>It is far too easy to blame the pandemic for this mass exodus phenomenon. Undoubtedly, the pandemic has redefined workers' needs and their demands for more work flexibility. Employees are re-evaluating life priorities after having had a taste of working from home and embracing career downsizing over a deskbound corporate life.</p><h3>Why Do People Quit?</h3><p>Before the pandemic, people have been quitting for a myriad of reasons. Better pay, better benefits, better opportunities. When Covid-19 swept the world, everyone held on fiercely to their jobs to guard against economic uncertainty. While staying put in their jobs and juggling work from home with no means of traveling to unwind; people began experiencing burnout. They started to question the value of work and life’s purposes, even as their savings grew. And after two years of remote work, a torrent of employee backlash erupted when employers started demanding employees back in the office. <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-06-01/return-to-office-employees-are-quitting-instead-of-giving-up-work-from-home"><span style="color:hsl(210,75%,60%);">Employees are quitting rather than giving up work from home</span></a>.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p><p>Is the reason as simple as wanting more flexibility and work-life balance?</p><h3>The Biggest Quit Reason</h3><p>Turns out, the biggest quit reason driving The Great Resignation is actually a toxic work culture, according to a recent <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.flexjobs.com/blog/post/survey-resignation-workers-considering-quitting-jobs/"><span style="color:hsl(210,75%,60%);">FlexJobs survey</span></a>. This echoed similar findings from <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://sloanreview.mit.edu/article/toxic-culture-is-driving-the-great-resignation/"><span style="color:hsl(210,75%,60%);">MIT Sloan Management Review</span></a> which found that a toxic corporate culture is 10 times more powerful than pay in predicting employee turnover. A poll commissioned by <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://sg.finance.yahoo.com/news/singapore-quitting-retirement-delay-prudential-093937430.html"><span style="color:hsl(210,75%,60%);">Prudential Singapore</span></a> to explore the impact of The Great Resignation on retirement and financial planning amongst Singaporeans (who had resigned or have the intention to quit) generated similar sentiments: &nbsp;34 percent wanted to leave a toxic work environment and another 34 percent needed a mental health break.</p><h3>How Toxic Is ‘Toxic’?</h3><p>Employees complain about a lot of things. A trivial misgiving can easily escalate into a mountain of amplified negativity at work. But is that enough to warrant a work culture as toxic? How do you define the level of toxicity versus mere feelings of irritation?</p><h3>Watch for these signs which are indicative of a toxic workplace:</h3><p><strong>Unfair work practices or non-inclusive culture</strong> that discriminates against gender, age, race, disability, or sexual orientation. When employees are not being seen, heard, welcomed, or valued at work, and are excluded from key decisions or subjected to unfair treatment; a toxic workplace is at play.</p><p><strong>Narcissistic leadership</strong> When autocratic bosses cannot be questioned by subordinates and demand 100% agreement, it’s time to pack up.</p><p><strong>Abusive management</strong> Workplace bullying cannot be condoned. If there are signs of harassment, hostility, and disrespectful behavior that lacks dignity for others, walk away.</p><p><strong>Tolerance of racist/ sexist jokes</strong> shows no consideration for employees in the workplace.</p><p><strong>High employee turnover/ High employee sickness rate</strong> is an indication that something isn’t right in the workplace. Toxic environments create high levels of stress, illnesses, and burnout.</p><p><strong>No work-life balance</strong> If you find yourself constantly working late nights and weekends, and are expected to be “always-on” by micro-managing bosses, this is a sure-fire sign to get out for your health’s sake.</p><p><strong>Unmotivated co-workers</strong> who go through the motion with no work passion tell of an unhappy culture. Misery loves company and all that negativity is unlikely to dissipate overnight.</p><p><strong>Gossip, rumors, and drama</strong> are rife, affecting employee morale and creating distrust, anxiety, and depression among employees. Don’t ignore these signs of psychological effects.</p><p><strong>Lack of psychological safety</strong> When employees don’t feel secure in making mistakes or have a constant fear of failure, it means that the environment does not make them feel safe at all.</p><p><strong>Lack of communication</strong> When no one is clear on their roles and gets no help or information to perform their jobs, it breeds confusion and displays a lack of responsibility from the company.</p><h3>Stay Or Leave? How To Move The Needle.</h3><p>When do you decide to leave? The clearest tell-tale signs are when any of these negativities start showing up in the form of physical symptoms that affects our personal life, physical health, and mental state. Our wise bodies have in-built intel that raises red flags whenever we are threatened. If you are experiencing sleeping disorders, persistent headaches or other ailments, or finding yourself too stressed to eat properly (or overeat), chances are that you are reacting to a toxic work environment. Worse, if you find yourself dreading going to work each day, it’s high time to do something about it.</p><h2>&nbsp;</h2><h2>Plan Your Exit Strategy With These 2 Tips</h2><h3>Give yourself a timeline to leave</h3><p>Most of us procrastinate. But when a toxic situation is affecting your physical and mental health, do something about it. Giving yourself a timeline not only makes you accountable for your decision but also motivates you to take that action to regain your health and have a chance at your next career.</p><h3>Never say: “Let’s wait and see.”</h3><p>Adopting a “wait and see” approach in a toxic situation is akin to staying in an abusive relationship. Don’t try to rationalize and give reasons for toxicity. If nothing has changed despite actions taken, nothing will change. Ramp up your job search efforts. There is always another worthy employer looking for a talent like you.</p><p>You might be interested to know: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.chanceupon.co/blog/if-the-future-is-remote-work-will-work-life-balance-thrive-or-suffer"><span style="color:hsl(210,75%,60%);">If The Future Is Remote, Will Work-Life Balance Thrive Or Suffer?</span></a></p>

But what exactly is causing employees worldwide to end their relationships with employers amid a global inflation?

People quit for many reasons, but what’s the biggest quit reason that is driving The Great Resignation?

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