Nearly half of Singapore Workers Report Six or More Unpaid Hours a Week, Above Global Average: ADP Research

19 October, 2026

In Singapore, 45% of workers report six or more unpaid hours weekly, higher than the global share of 38%.
Workers who put in longer unpaid hours are more likely to report lower perceived productivity, higher stress, and an intention to leave their jobs.
Knowledge workers and employees in medium-sized organisations in Singapore are more likely to report longer unpaid hours.

SINGAPORE, 19 October 2026 – More than two in five () workers in Singapore report putting in six or more unpaid hours each week, compared with 38% globally, according to the latest issue of ADP’s People at Work 2026 report. The findings highlight the prevalence of unpaid work in Singapore and raise important questions about workload management, employee wellbeing and sustainable productivity.

Unpaid hours include time spent working through lunch breaks or scheduled hours. Among Singapore respondents, 35% report working six to 15 unpaid hours weekly, while 10% report working 16 hours or more.

ADP Research’s global findings reveal a complex relationship between unpaid work and employee engagement. While workers reporting 16 or more unpaid hours are more likely to be fully engaged with their work, they are also more likely to experience stress, feel less productive, and look for new employment opportunities.

Yvonne Teo, Vice President, HR, APAC at ADP said: “Working longer hours should not be mistaken for working more effectively. While employees may be committed to their work, consistently putting in unpaid hours can come with hidden costs, including increased stress, lower perceived productivity and a greater risk of turnover. Employers need to recognise that sustainable performance depends on more than the number of hours worked.”

“For Singapore’s employers, the priority should be creating an environment where employees can perform at their best without routinely extending their working hours. This means setting clear expectations, managing workloads effectively and ensuring teams have the resources they need. Better visibility into working patterns can also help organisations identify pressure points early and make more informed workforce decisions.”

Unpaid Hours Higher Among Knowledge Workers and Medium-Sized Organisations in Singapore

In Singapore, unpaid work is more common among employees in medium-sized organisations (250 - 999 employees), where 56% of employees report at least six unpaid hours each week. This is the highest across all firm sizes, compared with 42% in large organisations (1000 employees or more), and 40% in small organisations (1 - 249 employees).

When it comes to the nature of work, knowledge workers in Singapore are the most likely to report significant unpaid hours. About half (51%) of these workers, who use their expertise to create new output, report at least six unpaid hours every week. This proportion is higher than that of skilled task workers who apply their expertise to solve similar problems daily, and repetitive task workers, who perform similar tasks each day.

The findings highlight the importance of understanding where unpaid work is concentrated within an organisation. Identifying employee groups that consistently work beyond paid hours can help employers assess whether workload pressures stem from temporary business demands, resource constraints or unclear performance expectations. Addressing these issues early can help improve employee wellbeing, support productivity and reduce retention risks.

Leaders and Younger Workers Most Likely To Work Unpaid Hours

Globally, unpaid work is most prevalent among senior leaders. Half of C-suite executives (50%) and 49% of upper managers report at least six unpaid hours weekly, compared with 26% of individual contributors. C-suite executives also record the highest share of workers putting in 16 or more unpaid hours each week, at 20%.

Younger workers are also among those most likely to report longer unpaid hours. Globally, 42% of workers aged 18 - 26 years report at least six unpaid hours a week, the highest share across all age groups. This is followed by workers aged 27 - 39 years (41%), and workers aged 40 - 54 years (38%).

To view the latest People at Work 2026 Report, visit .

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About “People at Work 2026” Report Series Methodology

People at Work 2026 features survey findings derived from ADP Research's annual Global Workforce Survey of more than 39,000 working adults in 36 markets to uncover global workforce sentiment, an examination of how people are navigating the complexities of a changing world. The report presents worker sentiment data sifted by geography, job type, and other dimensions, providing employers with a fine-tuned and granular view of the global workforce that can be used to better understand their workforce and drive growth through data-driven talent decisions.

The 2025 Global Workforce Survey collected responses between July 21 and August 4, 2025, from a random sample, stratified by age and gender, of more than 39,000 working adults in 36 markets, to provide regional and market comparisons of worker sentiment. Respondents come from a wide variety of industries, educational backgrounds, on-site and remote work environments, work types, and skill sets. They represent a range of management and individual contributor roles, working for employers of all sizes.

To view the latest People at Work 2026, in addition to previous versions, visit here:

About ADP Research
The mission of ADP Research is to make the future of work more productive through data-driven discovery. Companies, workers, and policy makers rely on our finely tuned data and unique perspective to make informed decisions that impact workplaces around the world. To subscribe to monthly email alerts or obtain additional information about ADP Research, including employment and pay data, methodology, and a calendar of release dates, please visit https://www.adpresearch.com.

About ADP (NASDAQ: ADP)
ADP has been shaping the world of work with innovation and expertise for more than 75 years. As a global leader in HR and payroll solutions, ADP continuously works to solve business challenges for our clients and their workers, from simple, easy-to-use tools for small businesses to fully integrated platforms for global enterprises – and everything in between. Always Designing for People means we're focused on just that – people. We use our unmatched AI-driven insights and proven expertise to design innovative solutions that help people achieve greater success at work. More than 1.1 million clients across 140+ countries rely on ADP's exceptional service to support their people and drive their business forward. HR, Talent, Time Management, Benefits, Compliance, and Payroll. Learn more at ADP.com.

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Hi Ying, just wanted to highlight a rounding issue.

We standardised the figures to whole numbers in this release, which is why the total is 45% (35% + 10%). It is also consistent with the published report.

The remainder shown in the raw data sheet is 56% because the underlying figure was 55.7%, rounded up to the nearest whole number.

[YW3]Please link to the respective country’s PAW webpage

[YW4]Please link to the respective country’s PAW webpage.

Media Contact

Annabell Woon
Archetype Singapore
adphubap@archetype.co

Ying Wang
PR & Brand Voice Manager, ADP APAC
ying.wang@ADP.com