Many employers tapping into temporary workforce to help out with short-term work
Singapore's hiring outlook continued to decline in the fourth quarter of the year, with employers opting for temporary workers under flexible workforce strategies.
The latest ManpowerGroup survey revealed a 20% Net Employment Outlook for the fourth quarter, declining again from 24% in the third quarter.
According to the report, 37% of employers are expecting an increase in headcount in the fourth quarter, while 17% are anticipating a decrease.
A larger 45%, on the other hand, said they are not expecting any changes to headcount in the fourth quarter.
Lunda Teo, Country Manager of ManpowerGroup Singapore, said employers are taking a "measured approach" to hiring amid global trade uncertainties.
"Many are choosing to maintain current staffing levels, confident that their existing teams can meet business goals while they monitor economic developments," Teo said in a statement.
Other reasons why employers are not expecting changes to headcount include:
- No major projects or expansions planned soon (29%)
- Current strategy focuses on keeping existing staff (29%)
- Waiting to see how the economy changes (29%)
- No big changes expected in the industry (23%)
- Finances limit ability to increase staffing levels (21%)
Flexible workforce strategies in place
Amid uncertainty, employers in Singapore are also taking on more temporary workers to carry out some work, according to the report.
It found that temporary or contract workers have caught up with the number of permanent employees who are carrying out surge support and specialised short-term tasks.
Employers, however, remain reliant on their permanent workforce to do administrative tasks, customer service, and operational support.
Teo said the findings indicate a "shift" in how employers are approaching workforce planning.
"The growing use of temporary talent alongside continued reliance on permanent staff reflects a strategic rebalancing—one that blends stability with flexibility to help organisations stay competitive in today's volatile environment," she said.
"This signals a deeper rethink of how work gets done, as organisations build more resilient, future-ready teams."
