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In a survey of 6,000 workers in Southeast Asia, only 29% indicated they never experienced a career break. "That's because if I'm perusing the resume as an employer, my initial question would be, 'I wonder what this gap represents.'" Vicki Salemi Monster career expertBut that doesn't mean that companies see the gap as a red flag, Salemi said. "You can say, 'I took a career break for personal reasons that required my attention. "Literally everybody probably either has has had to do [a career break] at some point or know someone who has."

Persons: they've, Vicki Salemi, Nicole Price, Salemi, I'm, they're, Jenn Lim, it's, Lim, Price, Nick Gausling, you've Organizations: Insight, CNBC, Employers Locations: Southeast Asia

An example of a LinkedIn's "Career Break" feature, which fills in the gaps between jobs. To date, just over 1 million LinkedIn members have added the "career break" feature to their profiles, according to the company. People also took career breaks to travel (13%), to raise children (12%), and care for others (10%), the data showed. Longer breaksTavy Cussinel took a career break from public relations for seven years, while she had three kids. Tavy CussinelMonster career specialist Vicki Salemi said employers are now more flexible about career gaps than they were in the past.

Persons: Bobbie Bain, hadn't, Bain, Jennifer Shappley, Nick Gausling, Jenn Lim, that's, Pooja Chhabria, Thomas Baiter, I'd, who's, Baiter, Cussinel, I'm, Vicki Salemi, Nicole Price, Price Organizations: American Airlines, LinkedIn, CNBC, Talent, Insight, Microsoft, Company Locations: Southeast Asia, Asia, United Kingdom, Singapore

☆ This Singaporean is raising her kids in Sweden. Here are 3 parenting habits she picked up
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-05 | by ( Goh Chiew Tong | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

They love life a little bit more because they know how to enjoy it," said Min, a Singaporean raising her kids in Sweden. For the past nine years, Min, a Singaporean, has been traveling and working in various places — from South Korea to Spain and now, Sweden. Free playLiving in Sweden brought Min and her family much closer to nature — her kids attend forest school on the weekends. "In Sweden, children have a lot of say, they are respected and they have a voice — just like adults," Min said. But in Sweden, kids can choose whether they want to use the time to get some shuteye — or play.

Persons: Min, We've, — Organizations: Autonomy Locations: Sweden, South Korea, Spain, Stockholm, Singapore, preschools

☆ India's top 20 start-ups to work for, according to LinkedIn — most are new on the list
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-28 | by ( Goh Chiew Tong | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

The days of easy money are over as entrepreneurs face a funding winter amid a slowing global economy — and start-ups in India are not exempt. According to a local report, venture funding came in at $2.19 billion from January to March, dropping from the $11.34 billion invested in the same quarter last year. However, there are sectors that have "demonstrated resilience amid challenging times," said Pooja Chhabria, LinkedIn APAC's head of editorial. "Fintech remains a bright spot for investors despite the downturn, especially as we see funding on the recovery path and global tech giants eyeing fintech in India," she added. "The rise of edtech also underscores the continued demand for upskilling among professionals and students, especially with rapid changes due to technologies such as AI."

Persons: Pooja Chhabria, edtech Locations: India

☆ Here are top 10 Singapore start-ups to work for, according to LinkedIn — most are in fintech
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-26 | by ( Goh Chiew Tong | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Venture funding has taken a hit since 2022, as investors pull back on capital amid economic headwinds. According to a report from research firm Tracxn, total funding into Southeast Asian startups fell by 71% to $2.3 billion in the first half of 2023 — compared to the same period one year ago. Singapore startups attracted at least half of the funding and was the most-funded Southeast Asian city in the region, said the report. LinkedIn added that the startups that made the list "have trailblazed their way through recent economic and workplace challenges — and managed to stand out to investors and top talent along the way."

Persons: — Organizations: LinkedIn Locations: Singapore, Asian

☆ How can you tell if a job is right for you? Ask these 'overt questions,' organizational psychologist says
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-21 | by ( Goh Chiew Tong | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

"You have to be an expert question asker, your best investigative journalist skills should come out during a job interview." "You have to be an expert question asker, your best investigative journalist skills should come out during a job interview." According to Martin, job satisfaction comes when your expectations for the following three areas are aligned with what a new job can offer. Asking overt questions about how work gets down and who succeeds can be a really nice way to gauge where you are. "Asking overt questions about how work gets done and who succeeds can be a really nice way to gauge where you are," Martin added.

Persons: Andre Martin, asker, —, Martin, it's, they're Organizations: CNBC, Gallup

☆ 4 in 5 employees in Asia have moderate to high mental health risk, study shows
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-20 | by ( Goh Chiew Tong | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

Employees in Asia are under "significant mental health strain," with 82% having a moderate to high risk of developing mental health issues, according to a new report from insurance broker Aon and TELUS Health. Employees in Asia are under "significant mental health strain," with 82% having a moderate to high risk of developing mental health issues. That's according to a new report from insurance broker Aon and TELUS Health, which found that 35% of workers in Asia have a high mental health risk profile, and 47% have a moderate risk. "More than half of respondents said they would be concerned about career options being limited if they had a mental health issue that their employer was aware of." 1 in 3 have no emergency savingsOther than stress, anxiety and burnout being important factors that impact employees' productivity — financial insecurity also goes "hand-in-hand with high mental health risk," said the report.

Persons: Asia —, Jamie MacLennan, MacLennan, Tim Dwyer Aon, Tim Dwyer Organizations: TELUS Health, Employees, CNBC, Hong, Singapore, TELUS Health Asia Mental Health, U.S, Aon Locations: Asia, Pacific, Korea, Malaysia, Japan, Hong Kong, China, India, Vietnam, Taiwan, Philippines, Thailand, Indonesia, Asia Asia, Europe, Singapore, Aon Asia

☆ Mindless scrolling hurts productivity. Here's what you can do, says bestselling ‘Atomic Habits’ author
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-14 | by ( Goh Chiew Tong | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

There are many distractions that can get in the way of work — but the "greatest interruption" to productivity is mindless scrolling of phones, according to bestselling author James Clear. There are many distractions that can get in the way of work — but the "greatest interruption" to productivity is the mindless scrolling of phones, according to bestselling author James Clear. "[This] is what I would call 'once space, one use' … For example, let's say you're trying to build a new habit of reading. James Clear Author"I always think it's funny, if I really wanted it, I could just walk down the hallway and go get it, it's only 30 seconds away. James Clear Author"Time will magnify whatever you feed it.

Persons: James Clear Locations: MasterClass

☆ Why RTO mandates are layoffs in disguise, according to workplace experts: ‘Companies are daring employees to quit’
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-12 | by ( Goh Chiew Tong | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

However, that is exactly what some companies want, according to workplace experts that CNBC Make It spoke to. RTO is a cheap and dirty way for companies to avoid legal complications and financial obligations associated with layoffs. "Rolling back those gains, such as remote work and flexible hours, is audacious, but companies are daring employees to quit," Ruettimann added. "RTO is a cheap and dirty way for companies to avoid legal complications and financial obligations associated with layoffs," said Ruettimann. "Announcing direct layoffs can lead to a drop in morale among remaining employees, which could affect productivity and overall workplace atmosphere," he added.

Persons: Dan Schawbel, Laurie Ruettimann, Meghan Biro, Schawbel, Ruettimann, It's Organizations: Companies, Workplace Intelligence, New York Times, CNBC, Bloomberg, Employees

☆ Google VP shares the No. 1 thing she looks for in job interviews: ‘This is a critical trait’
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-06 | by ( Goh Chiew Tong | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

"I'm looking for people who want to exchange ideas, who want to innovate and are not happy with the status quo," says a Google VP. As a vice president at Google Asia Pacific, Sapna Chadha is most excited about the region's "growth story." "Within Southeast Asia, in the last few years alone, we've added 100 million new internet users. Traits of someone with a 'growth mindset'Having a growth mindset for Chadha means believing in the idea of continuous learning, and believing that one can always evolve. The response would not only be an indication of a growth mindset, but also show whether a person is willing "to exchange information and collaborate," Chanha explained.

Persons: we've, Chadha, Sapna Chadha, you've, Chanha, they've, didn't Organizations: Google Asia, CNBC, Google Locations: Asia, Southeast, South Asia, —

☆ ASEAN is ‘at a loss for ideas’ on how to address Myanmar crisis, says Indonesia's ex-foreign minister
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-05 | by ( Goh Chiew Tong | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Myanmar migrant workers hold a portrait of Aung San Suu Kyi during the march to mark International Labor Day in Bangkok, calling for the workers rights and protesting against the Myanmar military government on May 1, 2023. "I get the sense that ASEAN is at a loss for ideas … one can speak with eloquence about one individual member state's wish to happen in Myanmar. "At the moment, I'm reminded more about the divisions rather than the unity … this is not only a litmus test for ASEAN, but in my view is an existential threat to ASEAN," Natalegawa added. Myanmar's military administration, however, has not implemented the peace plan — despite agreeing to it two months after the democratic government was overthrown by the coup. "Some ASEAN member states in dispute feel that they are not being provided a common ASEAN home, so as if they are left on their own devices to deal with this issue," said Natalegawa.

Persons: Aung, Suu Kyi, Marty Natalegawa, CNBC's JP Ong, Marty Natalegawa Indonesia's, Natalegawa, Min Aung Organizations: International Labor, Myanmar, Getty, ASEAN, CNBC, 43rd Association of Southeast, Nations, Suu, Reuters Locations: Myanmar, Suu, Bangkok, Indonesian, Jakarta, South China, Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam

☆ Here are the best ‘workcation’ cities for remote and hybrid workers — and Barcelona tops the list
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-30 | by ( Goh Chiew Tong | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Barcelona, renowned for its vibrant cultural scene and almost year-round sunshine, is the best workcation city for those "seeking the perfect blend of work and leisure," said IWG. "The rise of hybrid work now allows workers to work from wherever they can be the most productive, even if that's overseas," Rogers added. Barcelona and Toronto — the top two cities — registered particularly strong scores in broadband speed and accommodation prices. Top 10 cities for workcations: Barcelona Toronto Beijing Milan New York Rio De Janeiro Amsterdam Paris Jakarta Lisbon For example, the average rent per month in Barcelona costs $1,158 and $1,769 for Toronto — compared to New York's $3,632 — the most expensive on the list. A cup of coffee in Barcelona costs $2.68 on average, compared to $4.92 for Los Angeles and $4.57 for Beijing, IWG added.

Persons: Darren Rogers, IWG, Rogers, Toronto — Organizations: Singapore, Toronto, Barcelona Toronto Beijing Milan, Paris Jakarta, Los Locations: Barcelona, New York, Hong Kong, Singapore, Asia, Southeast Asia, workcations, Barcelona Toronto Beijing Milan New York Rio De Janeiro, Paris, Paris Jakarta Lisbon, Spanish, Los Angeles, Beijing, Toronto

☆ CEO of remote company shares what she looks for in work-from-anywhere hires: ‘This is a gamechanger’
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-24 | by ( Goh Chiew Tong | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

When Juliana Chan decided to take her company fully remote in August, some managers reached out and said, "You are very brave to be going remote," she recalled. That's because remote work "comes with its own set of challenges" for companies, despite its popularity among employees. The 'prototypically strong' remote workerWhen she wrote a post on LinkedIn about taking her company remote, Chan said she received an influx of messages from job applicants asking for possible roles. The types of in-person behaviors that are traditionally key to success in an office setting may not matter anymore in a remote setting. Juliana Chan Founder & CEO, Wildtype Media"A potentially strong remote worker could be a very different pick from a strong in-person worker," she explained.

Persons: — Juliana Chan, Juliana Chan, Chan, — Chan, Slack Organizations: Wildtype Media, CNBC, Wildtype Locations: Singapore, Malaysia, Philippines, India

☆ Singapore workers are the world's fastest in adopting AI skills, LinkedIn report says
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-20 | by ( Goh Chiew Tong | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

According to LinkedIn, Singapore has the highest "diffusion rate" of AI skills — where the share of members adding such skills to their profiles grew 20 times compared to January 2016. Workers in Singapore are the world's fastest when it comes to adopting artificial intelligence skills, according to LinkedIn's latest Future of Work report. Finland (16x), Ireland (15x), India (14x), and Canada (13x) round out the top five countries with the highest rates of AI skills diffusion, according to the report. Skills 'potentially augmentable' by AIIn 2022, the five fastest-growing AI-related skills added to member profiles were all ones "hinting at the emergence of generative AI," according to LinkedIn. Share of skills potentially augmentable by generative AI Software engineer: 96%Customer service rep: 76%Cashier: 59%Salesperson: 59%Teacher: 45%Event manager: 39% Just 3% of software engineers' skills need to be performed by humans.

Persons: Pooja Chhabria, Chatbot ChatGPT, Goldman Sachs, GAI, Chhabria Organizations: LinkedIn, Workers, CNBC, Big Tech, Google, Microsoft Locations: Singapore, Finland, Ireland, India, Canada, Asia, Pacific

☆ 3 unexpected traits of bad bosses and signs of ‘dysfunction,’ according to a workplace expert
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-16 | by ( Goh Chiew Tong | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

Bad bosses have always existed in the workplace — they are typically known as the toxic bully, who is overly demanding and critical. But there are three traits that are unexpected and more insidious, according to one workplace expert. But there are traits of bad bosses that are unexpected and more insidious, according to Kevin Legg, the founder of Sage, a company that helps design and develop training curriculums at work. A leader who talks a bit too much during meetings can be a bit irritating for sure, but … there are worse traits a boss can have, right?" "Some employees may embrace friendliness and start thinking they are 'mates,' which will make difficult decisions and requests harder [for bosses]," Legg added.

Persons: Kevin Legg, Sage, Legg, undermanaging, Lee, you've Organizations: Employees

☆ Employees in Asia are spending the most time looking busy at work, says Slack report
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-14 | by ( Goh Chiew Tong | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Workers in Asia are spending the most time on "performative work" — in other words, focusing on appearing busy more than doing real, productive work. Japan (63%), Singapore (63%) and India (57%) were ranked lowest for percentage of time spent on productive or "real work," Slack said. According to Laney, employees' focus on appearing busy is "likely influenced" by the way leaders are measuring productivity. For example, 44% of Singapore employees — the highest globally — say their productivity has been affected by spending "too much time" in meetings and emails. "There is an opportunity for companies to explore new and different ways of working, such as … adopting asynchronous ways of working rather than meetings, to facilitate more effective collaboration at work," Laney said.

Persons: Derek Laney, Slack, Laney, they're Organizations: Asia Pacific . Workers, Salesforce, Global, U.S, Derek Laney Technology, Employees Locations: Asia, India, Japan, Singapore, France, Kingdom, Australia, Germany, States, Korea, South Korea

☆ Forget ‘quiet quitting’ — ‘loud laborers’ are killing workplace morale. Here’s how to spot them
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-09 | by ( Goh Chiew Tong | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

[Loud laborers] ... may crave attention and love to hear themselves talk even when it was nothing extraordinary, they were simply doing their jobs. "Loud laborers are often quite politically savvy and are very active on professional social networks, where they publicize their tasks and achievements," she added. Why some focus on 'visibility'Why do loud laborers exist? What you can do about loud laborersWhile loud laborers in the workplace may be irksome, it is important to set boundaries as best you can, said Salemi. For Price, loud working is persistent in a workplace because such behavior has been rewarded or validated by leadership.

Persons: you've, André Spicer, Nicole Price, Vicki Salemi, Price, Salemi, bode Organizations: Bayes Business, CNBC

☆ India job seekers aren't ready to return to the office — 2 in 3 say they value flexibility over pay
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-08 | by ( Goh Chiew Tong | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

Workers in India are far from ready to return to the pre-pandemic days of working in an office, five days a week. In contrast, fewer job seekers (67%) consider the compensation offered for the job. According to Indeed, 6.5% of job postings on the platform in June explicitly mention phrases such as "work from home" or "remote work" in their job descriptions. Job seekers value clarity and communicationIn the midst of economic uncertainty, job seekers have been facing longer job interview processes as companies become more cautious with hiring. In addition, almost half of job seekers, or 48% surveyed, want to know the salary range from employers before applying for a role, Indeed added.

Persons: Sashi Kumar, Kumar, Josh Bersin Organizations: Workers, Employers, CNBC, Companies, Employees, Josh Bersin Company, AMS Locations: India

☆ Japan is Asia's most expensive location to send expats — here are the other top spots
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-04 | by ( Goh Chiew Tong | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

The average expatriate package in Japan cost employers $370,183 in 2022, according to "MyExpatriate Market Pay" survey by data company ECA International. Japan's salary and benefits packages for expats remained the highest in Asia, a new report has found. The average expatriate package in Japan costs employers $370,183, according to "MyExpatriate Market Pay" survey by data company ECA International. As a result, when measured in U.S. dollars, costs for salary, benefits and taxes "all fell by double-digit percentages," the report said. Globally, Japan ranked second while the U.K. retained its top spot as the most expensive location in the world to send expatriates.

Persons: —, assignees, Lee Quane, Quane Organizations: ECA, expats, Japan, ECA International, International's, Asia, Hong Locations: Japan, Asia, Laos, China, Hong Kong, Singapore, India, Korea Republic

The research found this was due to a perception that other accents thwart communication, to accent prejudices — or both. Are language courses a solution? But accent reduction courses that promise to get rid of a certain accent in a short period of time are more popular, she said. It horrifies me that companies would train people to anglicize their accent — that is a direct reinforcement of … racism. Elizabeth likens learning an American accent to "just one of the tools" in her arsenal — one she can deploy when needed.

Persons: Elizabeth, she's, they've, Jessica Spence, Jessica Spence The, Regina Kim, Tracey Derwing, Ritu, Brad Harris, Ritu Bhasin, Kim, who's, Bhasin, I'm Organizations: CNBC, The University of Queensland, Society, Personality, Jessica Spence The University of Queensland, Fairfield University's Dolan School of Business, University of Alberta, HEC Paris, York University, Brad Harris Management, HEC Paris Business Locations: Singapore, Asia, Pacific, Australia, New Zealand, Taiwan, Malaysia, York

Accent bias in the workplaceIt's not surprising that employees' accents play a role in determining business travel, said Regina Kim, an assistant professor of management at Fairfield University's Dolan School of Business. An 'accent hierarchy'Leadership specialist and author Ritu Bhasin said there's an "accent hierarchy" in today's globalized world. Kim agreed, saying studies show that the Standard British English accent has a "covert prestige," with speakers being perceived as more trustworthy, intelligent and attractive. "For example, having a French accent in a wine industry may be 'better' because there's an industry-accent fit," she said. Accent bias can be worsened by national stereotypes that listeners associate with the way their colleagues talk, said Kim.

Persons: they've, Shan, Tracey Derwing, Derwing, Regina Kim, Kim, Ritu Bhasin, it's, Bhasin, Elizabeth Elizabeth, she's, Elizabeth Organizations: SAP, CNBC, Employees, New Zealand, University of Alberta, Fairfield University's Dolan School of Business Locations: —, Asia, Australia, New Zealand, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia, Pacific, New, Indonesia, Vietnam, United States, American, New York, Britain, Canada, East Asia, South Asia, West Asia, China, Europe

☆ She traveled to Japan more than 50 times. Here are 3 life habits she learned from the country
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-25 | by ( Goh Chiew Tong | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Cheesie's love for Japan was evident even before her big move to Tokyo — the Malaysian had traveled to Japan at least 56 times and covered all 47 prefectures. The 39-year-old blogger's love for Japan was evident even before her big move to Tokyo — the Malaysian had traveled to Japan at least 56 times and covered all 47 prefectures. Cheesie Blogger"I love Japan very much and very [intensely]. Cheesie's love for Japan goes beyond its delicious food and the more tangible aspects of its rich culture. "These are the small things or gestures that I find really fascinating, and it makes appreciating things a lot easier in life," Cheesie said.

Persons: Cheesie, it's Organizations: Malaysian, Malaysia, CNBC, Okinawa — Locations: Japan, Tokyo, Dewa Sanzan, Yamagata Prefecture, Singapore, Malaysia, Osaka, Okinawa

☆ 'Massive shift': Older people will exceed a quarter of G7's workforce by 2031, report says
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-19 | by ( Goh Chiew Tong | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

In the Group of Seven countries, Bain predicts, older and experienced workers will make up more than quarter of the workforce by 2031. "That's a massive shift," Andrew Schwedel, partner at Bain & Company, told CNBC's "Squawk Box Asia" on Tuesday. What older workers wantIn recent years, countries around the world have been increasing retirement ages — but not without pushback. "That speaks to some of the different things that companies need to do if they're trying to appeal to younger workers versus older workers." How to retain older workersIt is also crucial for companies to design workplace experiences that tap into the motivations of older workers, said Schwedel.

Persons: Bain, Andrew Schwedel, CNBC's, Schwedel Organizations: Bain & Company, Companies Locations: Japan, Europe, U.S, France

☆ Gig workers are ‘here to stay': Singapore minister on why they shouldn't be left behind
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-17 | by ( Goh Chiew Tong | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

watch nowSINGAPORE — Gig workers in Singapore face "vulnerabilities" that need to be addressed, said the country's senior minister of state for manpower. Gig workers face 'significant management control'The minister clarified that a legal mandate for gig workers is "not exactly the same as a union." That includes changes in matching and pricing algorithms on platforms that may affect the livelihood of gig workers. The expense-to-income ratio of gig workers was 112% in May — "significantly higher" than the median customer's 57%, DBS said. "Tripartism involves both government, platform companies in this case, and also platform workers in the unions … the three parties working closely together will form the foundation for that relationship of trust."

Persons: Koh Poh Koon, Koh, Singapore's Organizations: DBS, for, Workers, Singapore National Employers Federation Locations: SINGAPORE, Singapore

☆ Singapore's workers want to stay remote, but employers are backtracking on flexibility
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-17 | by ( Goh Chiew Tong | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

While working professionals remain "keenly interested" in remote work, employers have been far less likely to mention "work from home" in postings, said Indeed Singapore. In May 2023, 6.6% of job postings explicitly mentioned phrases such as "work from home" or "remote work" in their job descriptions. Callam Pickering APAC senior economist, IndeedBy contrast, jobseeker interest in remote work "remains elevated" with 3.5% of searches, Indeed added. Terms such as "full-time," "remote work" and similar phrases are also consistently among Singapore's most popular search terms. Job postings in declineSingapore job postings on the portal are on a decline, with numbers hitting lowest levels since September 2021.

Persons: Samantha, It'll, jobseekers, Callam Pickering APAC, Jobseekers, Callam, Guy Berger, LinkedIn's, there's Organizations: CNBC, LinkedIn's Locations: Singapore, Callam Pickering, Asia, Pacific, APAC

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