Chan Chun Sing Addresses Growing Resignations and Efforts to Retain Talent
SINGAPORE: The Singapore public service has experienced a notable increase in attrition, particularly within the Civil Service’s largest generic scheme, the management executive scheme, which saw its resignation rate hit a 10-year peak of 9.9 per cent last year. Minister-in-charge of the Public Service, Chan Chun Sing, revealed these figures in Parliament on Tuesday (Feb 15), citing a sharp rise in attrition in the last six months. Certain sectors, such as infocomm technology, have seen even higher resignation rates due to heightened competitive pressures and talent shortages.
Responding to a query from Member of Parliament Patrick Tay (PAP-Pioneer), who had asked about the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on public service attrition, Mr Chan acknowledged that various factors have contributed to the increased resignations. These include the pressures of the job, pay concerns, and limited opportunities for professional growth. In particular, the intense demands placed on public officers during the pandemic, especially in battling COVID-19, have been a significant strain. Officers also had to manage high expectations from the public, often exacerbated by the shift to remote work, which blurred the boundaries between work and personal life.
With the economy recovering and the private sector offering more opportunities, Mr Chan warned that attrition in the public service could increase further. However, he assured that the government was committed to addressing this challenge. Efforts to retain talent include streamlining processes and providing public officers with clearer direction in their work, helping them connect their contributions to the broader goal of serving Singapore and its citizens.
Additionally, the government has implemented measures to support the well-being of public officers, including webinars on topics like resilience, mindfulness, and physical health. A 24/7 counselling hotline and a digital platform for mental health resources have also been introduced. Furthermore, over 900 wellness ambassadors across 80 agencies have volunteered to offer emotional support to colleagues.
To make careers in the public service more attractive, Mr Chan explained that the government has been expanding job rotation programs and offering attachments outside the public sector. This initiative is designed to make work more engaging and provide officers with continuous learning opportunities.
Finally, Mr Chan assured that the public service would continue to review and adjust salaries and benefits to remain competitive with the private sector, ensuring that Singapore can attract and retain the best talent to maintain high-quality public services.
