By Jessica Cheam

SINGAPORE'S labour force is working harder than ever in the midst of the recession - clocking up to 10 hours a week more than they were before.

The tendency to put in overtime even as the economy is in recession was shown in a new global survey released yesterday by recruitment agency Robert Walters.

The fear of redundancy has 'obviously had an effect' on the workforce, said the agency's Singapore managing director, Ms Andrea Ross.

About six in 10 - 59 per cent - of 456 employees polled here said they were putting in overtime, with 23 per cent working eight to 10 hours more per week.

This was the second highest after Hong Kong's 33 per cent, in terms of workers putting in eight to 10 hours more. Globally, about 21 per cent were working that many extra hours.

The online survey, conducted in April and last month, polled 2,601 respondents from 17 countries and territories.

The survey showed Hong Kong professionals feeling the brunt of the global downturn - with 62 per cent of the 130 polled admitting to working longer hours. Globally, this figure was 55 per cent.

Ms Ross said it was not surprising that Hong Kong and Singapore workers led the global workforce in terms of staying back late.

This was because the 'working culture is conscientious and people want to be seen as being hardworking and taking on extra responsibilities' - especially at a time where layoffs are commonplace.

The survey found that 10 per cent of Singapore workers were working up to two hours overtime, and 26 per cent were doing between three and eight hours more than required.

'Many people feel that by putting in more hours, they will be less likely to lose their jobs should further cost-cutting prove necessary,' added Ms Ross.

Another factor is that where job cuts have already taken place, remaining workers are inevitably required to take on more work, she said.

Administrative executive Lynn Koh, 25, is one employee who has had to take on more work due to a reduced staff count at her firm.

'I think we're all expected to work harder during lean times, especially if we want to keep our jobs,' she said.

However, Ms Ross noted that some companies, even in this downturn, have been encouraging more flexible working hours - not necessarily longer ones.

'Firms want their staff to be productive, not just work overtime for the sake of it,' she said.

The survey found that not everyone has had their working day stretched - 41 per cent of Singapore respondents were still working the same hours, compared to 45 per cent globally.

Banking executive Adeline Chen, 29, said her working hours are unchanged.

'I don't think working extra hours enhances your job security. The quality of your work doesn't depend on the time you take to do it,' she said.

'In fact, bosses might think I'm inefficient if I put in the extra hours.'

This article was first published in The Straits Times.