- Tongle Editor
- April 11, 2025
You’ve got the job. The pay is decent. The industry is stable. So why are you still anxious?
When Jeremy got promoted last year, everyone congratulated him. “You’ve made it!” they said, clapping him on the back. On paper, things looked perfect-a stable job in a growing industry, a decent raise, and a glowing performance review. But inside, Jeremy was exhausted. He found himself staying up at night, worrying about deadlines. At work, he felt pressure to constantly prove himself, even though no one had said he wasn’t doing enough.
“I should be grateful,” he told himself. “But instead, I feel like I’m always on edge.”
Jeremy’s story isn’t unique. In fact, it reflects what many Singaporeans are feeling today. A recent article by The Straits Times revealed that even though the labour market remains strong, anxiety about job security is rising. People are worried-not because they’ve lost their jobs, but because they fear they might.
In a world where restructurings, AI, and economic uncertainty are regular headlines, having a job doesn’t automatically make people feel stable or supported anymore. And this constant low-level stress? It adds up.
The New Anxiety: When “Doing Well” Still Doesn’t Feel Secure
For many professionals, there’s a strange contradiction: they’re employed, yet deeply unsettled. They hit their targets, yet feel like one misstep could cost them everything.
It’s the kind of anxiety that doesn’t show up in KPIs, but creeps in during silent commutes, sleepless nights, and skipped meals. You begin to feel like you can’t afford to slow down. That resting—even for a moment-might make you look complacent.
This is the hidden cost of a workplace culture that equates value with output, and presence with productivity. It’s why people who are “doing well” still feel like they’re not doing enough.
One employee shared, “My company hasn’t made any layoffs, but I’m still scared. I check Microsoft Teams like it’s life or death. I keep re-reading my emails to make sure I didn’t sound ‘off.’ I don’t feel secure, even though technically I am.”
This kind of psychological strain doesn’t just wear people down-it reshapes how they engage at work, how they relate to others, and how they see themselves.
You Can’t Breathe Your Way Through a Broken System
Tips like “just breathe” or “try some yoga” are well-meaning. But when you’re stuck in a workplace built on fear, pressure, and constant uncertainty, no amount of deep breathing can undo the underlying problem.
What employees need isn’t another wellness hack.
They need real, human support-the kind that acknowledges what people are really carrying beneath the surface.
Work anxiety. Fear of being laid off. The pressure to always perform. It’s exhausting. And it’s not something that can be fixed with surface-level solutions. What’s needed is space to be honest, support that’s consistent, and leadership that listens.
This Is Where EAPs Can Make a Difference
Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) aren’t a luxury or a perk. They’re a quiet, steady form of care-offering employees a safe, confidential space to process stress, speak honestly, and receive support without fear of judgment.
Whether someone is dealing with burnout, emotional fatigue, or the quiet panic of trying to look “fine” on the outside, a well-designed EAP can offer more than advice-it offers a lifeline.
More than just counselling, EAPs represent something bigger:
When people feel psychologically safe, they don’t just survive work—they engage, create, and grow. That’s what real support makes possible.
- A commitment to emotional safety
- A signal that no one has to carry their stress alone
- A practical step toward a more compassionate work culture
When people feel psychologically safe, they don’t just survive work-they engage, create, and grow. That’s what real support makes possible.
It’s Okay to Ask for More
If you’ve felt overwhelmed, uncertain, or just plain tired of pretending—this isn’t about being weak. It’s about being human. And if you’ve ever wished your workplace would take mental health seriously, that’s not asking for too much. That’s asking for what’s right.
You can help open the door:
- Ask your HR team about available support systems
- Share this with a colleague who might be struggling
- Start a quiet conversation that says, “You’re not alone.”
You Deserve to Feel Safe at Work
Your mental well-being isn’t a bonus. It’s the ground everything else stands on.
If you’re unsure where you are with your mental health, take a moment for yourself. We offer a free, confidential screening tool that can help you check in and understand what kind of support might help. No pressure—just clarity. [Take your screening here.]
Let’s create a future where showing up to work doesn’t mean putting your well-being on hold. Let’s build cultures that care.
