Workplace discrimination in Singapore has surged by 8% over the past year, with 33% of workers experiencing bias in 2024, according to ADP’s People at Work 2025 report. This increase reverses the progress made in 2023 when discrimination levels dropped from 52% in 2022 to 25%. Singapore now surpasses the Asia Pacific average of 19%, underscoring the urgent need for improved workplace inclusion and equality.
The report reveals that discrimination extends beyond ethnicity and gender, affecting age and seniority. More than half of ethnic minority workers in Singapore (55%) face discrimination, whilst 27% of women and 34% of men report similar experiences. Globally, younger workers aged 18-26 are twice as likely to report discrimination compared to those aged 55-64.
Yvonne Teo, Vice President of HR, APAC at ADP, emphasised the detrimental impact of discrimination on employee morale and productivity. “Discrimination erodes employee morale and productivity, directly undermining business results and growth in the long term,” she stated. Teo advocates for embedding inclusion into every process, from recruitment to performance reviews, to address biases and foster a more inclusive culture.
In response to these findings, Singapore’s government introduced a Workplace Fairness Bill in early 2025 to promote fair and harmonious workplaces. As Teo noted, “Singapore’s Workplace Fairness Bill sets the stage; Now, employers must turn compliance into meaningful culture change.”
The report also highlights career barriers in Singapore, with a lack of personal drive and limited workplace support hindering career advancement. Despite these challenges, Singapore’s workforce prioritises pay for performance, with 23% citing it as the most important reason for staying with a company.
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