Sense of Belonging at Work: Why it Isn't Just a 'Nice to Have'

Positive workplace community linked to more engaged staff, higher productivity

- Megan Wee

Fitting in at work is important, but if it means losing yourself, some people decide it is better to just walk away.

Ashley (not her real name), 28, is one example. Having lived abroad for years before returning to Singapore for her traineeship at a law firm, she learned that her outspoken, inquisitive nature was not always appreciated.

Once, after attending a networking event, her supervisor told her she "shouldn't be doing stuff like that".

When she asked, "Like what?", he replied that it was inappropriate for her to speak so confidently to more senior people in front of everyone.

She also recalled another occasion when an associate told her to help with a task, and she asked what it was for.

During a performance review later, she learned that her question was seen as defiance because, as she put it: "I asked why when I should have just done the work."

While she learned to keep her opinions to herself later, she still stood out for being mixed-race.

"My accent is different, and I have tattoos...it is not the easiest to fly under the radar," she said.

When some office staff started referring to her as the "ang moh girl", she felt the need to work harder to overcome the stereotype that non-Asians lack a strong work ethic. After six months, she chose to leave this firm where she never felt she belonged.

Her experience is not unique.

According to a Randstad 2025 Workmonitor survey published in March, 62 per cent of respondents in Singapore said they would leave their jobs if they did not feel a sense of belonging at work.

This was more pronounced among Gen Z workers, with 67 per cent stating they would consider resigning.