A growing number of employees are turning down higher salaries in favour of something less tangible, emotional and mental recovery. This tre...

A growing number of employees are turning down higher salaries in favour of something less tangible, emotional and mental recovery. This trend, often described as “healing culture”, (18) __________ feeling burned out after years in high pressure environments. Instead of negotiating for a pay rise, many are asking for flexible working hours, mental health days, or simply a quieter, less demanding role.

(19) __________. Respondents frequently cited poor work–life balance, toxic management, and (20) __________. Salary ranked only fourth on the list of factors influencing job satisfaction, falling behind psychological safety, meaningful work, and a supportive team culture. Having surveyed the participants, (21) __________, and that salary therefore came only fourth in respondents’ priorities.

Critics argue that “healing” has become a buzzword that helps people avoid difficult conversations about systemic labour issues, including low wages and job insecurity. (22) __________. When basic financial needs are met, they say, workers naturally begin to prioritise wellbeing over accumulation. For employers, the question is no longer only how much to pay. It is also what kind of workplace they are willing to build.

Question 18: 

A. is gaining momentum particularly among workplaces in Southeast Asia
B. which is gaining momentum particularly among millennials and Gen Z workers

C. has gained momentum particularly among millennials and Gen Z workers
D. has been gaining momentum particularly among millennials and Gen Z workers

Question 19: 

A. The increasing demand for higher wages has led many companies to focus on financial stability as the primary driver of productivity

B. While mental health is a concern, most employees in high-pressure sectors still view a pay rise as the ultimate reward for their hard work

C. Efforts to improve workplace environments have often been ignored by workers who prioritize immediate financial gains over emotional well-being

D. A recent survey of over 2,000 workers across Southeast Asia found that nearly 60% would accept a lower salary if it meant significantly reducing workplace stress

Question 20: 

A. digital communication which is always-on nature as key reasons for their dissatisfaction
B. the always-on nature of digital communication as key reasons for their dissatisfaction
C. communicating always-on in digital nature as key reasons for their dissatisfaction
D. they are always-on in digital communication as key reasons for their dissatisfaction

Question 21: 

A. it was clearly noted that these three factors influenced job satisfaction more strongly than the monthly pay

B. the researchers who indicated that these three factors affected people’s job satisfaction more strongly than salary did

C. a clear indication that psychological safety, meaningful work, and a supportive team culture mattered more than pay

D. the researchers also noted that these three factors influenced job satisfaction more strongly than pay

Question 22: 

A. Thus, workplace psychologists suggested that success is defined differently by people who shift their focus
B. However, the shift reflects a deeper change in how success is defined by workplace psychologists

C. However, workplace psychologists suggest the shift reflects a deeper change in how people define success
D. Because workplace psychologists suggested the shift reflects a deeper change in how people define success