- Tongle Editor
- February 20, 2025
Let’s face it—money isn’t just about paying the bills. Your paycheck affects everything from your stress levels to your job satisfaction and even your health. A fair salary isn’t just about numbers on a paycheck; it’s about feeling valued for your work. But how do you know if you’re being underpaid? And more importantly, what can you do about it?
Whether you’re an employee wondering if it’s time for a raise or a company leader looking to attract and retain top talent, understanding fair compensation is key. Let’s break it down.
Signs You Might Be Underpaid 🚩
In Singapore, workplace culture is defined by long hours, high expectations, and relentless competition. Employees are expected to juggle multiple responsibilities, meet tight deadlines, and push their limits daily. While ambition and hard work have contributed to Singapore’s economic success, they have also come at a cost—mental and physical burnout.
Work environments in many industries are high-stress, with minimal support for employee well-being. Many workplaces lack structured wellness programs, leaving employees with few resources to manage stress. Without proper interventions, fatigue spreads beyond the office, affecting relationships, health, and overall quality of life.
1. Your Pay Doesn’t Match the Market
Ever compared your salary to others in your field? If your paycheck is significantly lower than the industry standard for your role and location, that’s a red flag. Websites like Glassdoor, Payscale, and LinkedIn Salary Insights can help you check where you stand.
2. More Work, Same Pay
Have your responsibilities grown, but your paycheck hasn’t? If you’re taking on extra duties without a raise, your work might be outpacing your compensation.
3. High Turnover in Your Company
If people around you are quitting for better-paying jobs, it might mean your workplace isn’t keeping up with competitive salaries. Could you be next?
4. No Raises, No Adjustments ⏳
Cost of living keeps rising—has your salary kept up? If your paycheck hasn’t changed in years while expenses keep climbing, you’re actually earning less in real value.
5. New Hires Are Making More
If fresh recruits with similar experience are coming in at a higher salary than you, your pay might not have kept up with current market trends.
6. Weak Benefits Package
Salary isn’t everything. Strong benefits—like healthcare, paid time off, and retirement contributions—are key parts of compensation. If those are lacking, it might be time to reassess.
How Being Underpaid Affects Your Well-Being
Feeling underpaid isn’t just frustrating—it can take a real toll on your health. Financial stress can lead to anxiety, burnout, and even physical health issues. When you’re constantly worrying about money, it’s hard to focus, stay motivated, or enjoy life outside of work.
For employers, underpaying workers often leads to disengagement, higher turnover, and lower productivity. A paycheck isn’t just a cost—it’s an investment in employee satisfaction, retention, and performance.
Financial Stability vs. Work-Life Balance ⚖️
Being underpaid can create a constant tug-of-war between making ends meet and maintaining a personal life. Many employees take on side gigs or work overtime just to keep up, leading to exhaustion and burnout.
On the flip side, fair pay creates balance—giving employees the freedom to focus on career growth, personal goals, and mental well-being without constant financial stress.
For companies, fair compensation means higher employee morale, better retention, and a workplace where people actually want to stay.
What Can You Do? 🚀
- Do Your Research 🔍 – Check salary data for your role and location.
- Track Your Wins 📌 – Document your contributions to justify a raise.
- Negotiate with Confidence 💪 – Know your worth and ask for fair pay.
- Consider New Opportunities 🌍 – If your company won’t budge, better options might be out there.
- Invest in Your Skills 🎓 – More skills = more earning potential.
Let’s Build Better Workplaces Together
At Tongle, we believe in workplaces where employees feel supported, valued, and fairly compensated. Our Employee Assistance Portal (EAP) helps organizations create a culture of well-being, reducing stress and improving resilience.
Fair pay isn’t just a financial decision—it’s a people decision. Whether you’re advocating for yourself or leading a team, ensuring fair compensation leads to healthier, happier workplaces.
Because when employees thrive, businesses succeed.
