It appears Singapore workers have replaced the Japanese as workaholics.

A survey by Robert Walters Singapore shows 67 per cent of Singapore professionals do not take all their leave. Forty-two per cent took between 50 and 75 per cent, while 25 per cent took between zero and 25 per cent of their holiday allowance.

Globally, Thais, Germans, Irish and New Zealanders use up all their leave.

Andrea Ross, managing director-Singapore & Malaysia, believes it is because Singapore is a fast-moving economy and people tend to work longer hours so they don't miss out on any opportunities on the workfront. In other words, kiasu (the local slang for 'scared to lose')?

We think this is a brilliant chance for motivation firms to come up with a 'Have A Life' incentive programme and encourage companies to buy it so they can end up with, as Ross says, workers with a healthy outlook and a mind enriched by travelling.