New report indicates challenges for payroll teams
Greater pay transparency and more flexible pay options, including immediate access to earnings, are gaining traction with employees, according to a new report.
The Singapore Payday Expectations Report 2025, published by Deel, found 69% of employees are open to alternative compensation beyond cash and 18% would prefer more frequent pay cycles, with weekly or fortnightly the most popular options.
At the same time, the report found 80% of organisations have payroll teams that are not functioning well because of burnout with 15% reporting an increase in payroll errors and 23% considering outsourcing payroll altogether to cope with the mounting backlog and fatigue.
Pay flexibility
The report found employees are open to receiving stocks or equity (46%), employer-backed rewards or loyalty points (34%), and cryptocurrency (28%).
If given the option to customise their pay packages, 57% of employees said they would choose a higher salary with fewer benefits.
More than half (54%) also said they want the flexibility to mix salary, leave, and benefits, while 24% said they would choose a lower salary in exchange for remote or hybrid work arrangements.
While earned wage access (EWA), which lets employees access part of their wages before payday, is gaining recognition with employees, 47% had never heard of EWA. But the report found 74% would consider the arrangement if offered by employers.
Pay transparency demand
When it comes to wage transparency, 71% of employees said they are comfortable with industry-wide salary disclosure.
Nearly three-quarters (72%), however, said salary talks during the hiring stage remain challenging. In fact, only 41% said they feel comfortable discussing pay with their colleagues.
Some employers in Singapore are already being transparent about pay as early as the recruitment stage, according to findings from Indeed.
Some 21% of job postings on the recruitment platform have the pay disclosed, the report revealed. But it is slightly down from the 30% average from 2023 to 2024.
Challenge for payroll teams
The growing interest for pay transparency and flexibility could mean further challenges for payroll teams in Singapore, according to Deel.
"Singaporean workers are asking for clarity, flexibility and transparency in their pay – a reasonable and increasingly urgent demand. But the reality is that payroll professionals are under tremendous compliance and operational stress," said Karen Ng, Regional Head of Expansion, Enterprise, North and South Asia, Deel, in a statement.
Ng said if employers neglect the root causes of burnout among payroll teams, they risk losing expertise and trust from them.
"The message is clear: companies must act now to modernise payroll and equip their teams with the right tools and support. When payroll operates seamlessly, it does more than reduce errors – it creates the foundation for positive employee experiences and stronger workplace trust."
