Singapore ranks among the most heavily monitored workplaces in the world, with new data indicating a growing concern over artificial intelligence (AI) and increased surveillance across offices, hybrid setups, and digital work tools.
According to ADP’s People at Work 2025 report, 41 per cent of employees in the island nation say they feel constantly monitored, placing the country fifth globally among 34 markets surveyed. Only Egypt, Nigeria, Thailand, and India reported higher levels of workplace surveillance.
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ADP’s findings suggest a growing connection between employee stress and the expansion of AI-driven or digital monitoring tools, which are increasingly integrated into HR systems and productivity platforms.
Workers feeling watched and worn down
Singapore’s figure is nine percentage points above the global average, underscoring how local employees are facing stronger pressure around productivity tracking and hybrid work accountability.
Globally, ADP found that workers who feel constantly monitored are:
- Four times more likely to be among the least productive
- Three times more likely to report stress
This mirrors concerns across several Southeast Asian markets, where rapid digitalisation and performance technologies are reshaping how employees perceive workplace fairness and privacy.
AI uncertainty rising, especially among younger workers
Beyond surveillance, the report highlights growing unease about the role of AI in shaping future jobs.
In Singapore:
- 19 per cent of workers say they are unsure how AI will affect their roles
- This is nine percentage points above the Asia-Pacific average
Knowledge workers — including programmers, academics, and creative professionals — reported the highest anxiety levels, approximately twice that of skilled task workers.
Younger adults aged 18 to 26 were the most unsettled age group, with 23 per cent expressing concern that AI may alter or threaten their future roles.
Trust becoming a key business factor
Jessica Zhang, Senior Vice President, ADP APAC, said organisations must rethink how they introduce new technologies. “Technology and talent are evolving in tandem and the rise of AI and hybrid work is redefining how employees experience trust, purpose, and productivity.”
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“To navigate this new landscape, organisations must deploy AI and other workplace tools responsibly – ensuring they support rather than strain the workforce. When businesses align digital transformation with clear communications and employee wellbeing, they build stronger trust, engagement, and sustainable performance,” she added.
Zhang’s comments reflect the growing calls across industries for clearer governance of employee data collection and the responsible use of monitoring technologies.
Why this matters to Southeast Asia
The report’s findings come as Southeast Asian companies rapidly integrate AI into workflows, from customer service automation to internal analytics. At the same time, hybrid work models have pushed employers to adopt tighter digital oversight for attendance, productivity, and compliance.
For Singapore, a regional hub for knowledge work and tech talent, the tension between innovation and worker wellbeing is becoming a central issue for employers navigating digital transformation.
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