Work flexibility remains a hot topic among Malaysian talent four years after the pandemic. Randstad – the world’s largest talent agency – released further data from the 2024 Workmonitor Research in Malaysia. The survey reveals that two in five Malaysians are willing to resign if required to work more frequently in the office. This trend is particularly strong among younger generations, with nearly half of Gen Z (49 per cent) and Millennials (47 per cent) opposed to inflexible work arrangements. Compared to six months ago, 52 per cent of Malaysians said that their employers expect them to be in the office more, 17 per cent higher than the global average.
Fahad Naeem, Country Director at Randstad Malaysia said, “Flexibility in the workplace should encompass all aspects, including diverse work arrangements that promote equity. Despite local employers establishing stricter office attendance requirements, an equitable understanding of flexibility and diversity recognises that the employee experience extends beyond where and when they work.” According to a study, two in five Malaysians have made life changes, such as relocating or getting pets, in anticipation of continued flexible work options after the pandemic. Notably, 51 per cent of Gen Zers and 47 per cent of Millennials have made such adjustments to their personal lives.
Naeem said, “During the pandemic, many people discovered they could work just as effectively, or even better, from home. This has shifted their perceptions of office-based work, making long commutes and expensive rent less appealing. As a result, job seekers are becoming more vocal about their expectations and are even rejecting higher-paying positions that require daily office attendance.” Despite the rise of remote work options, majority of Malaysians (86 per cent) prefer working from the office at least three days a week. The survey revealed that 14 per cent of Malaysians would prefer to work from the office for less than two days a week.
While talent in Malaysia expects work flexibility, the reality is different. One in two respondents indicated that their employers have introduced mandatory five-day office work policies. Only 9 per cent work less than two days a week in the office. Additionally, one in 10 respondents said that their employers do not have any flexible work policies in place. “Flexible work arrangements not only benefit employees by enhancing work-life balance and autonomy but also have significant advantages for employers. By offering these options, organisations can expand their talent pool to include individuals like persons with disabilities and caregivers. This fosters equal opportunities, expands the workforce, elevates employee skills, and contributes to economic growth. In addition to flexible work policies, employers have a range of initiatives available to create a more inclusive and equitable workplace,” Naeem said.
Diversity and equity are important to the younger generations, as 59 per cent of Gen Zers and 54 per cent of Millennials said that they will not accept a job with a company that is not proactive in improving diversity and equity. Even though equity, diversity and inclusion may not always be the top priority when looking for a new job, it has become increasingly important to the modern job seeker. To this end, 67 per cent of Malaysians said that they hide aspects of themselves at work, which may prompt them to look for organisations that provide them with a safe environment where they can be themselves.
In the survey, respondents ranked top five most important equity, diversity, and inclusion policies in their current and future employment as:
● diverse backgrounds in leadership – 47 per cent
● gender pay equity – 45 per cent
● diverse workforce – 44 per cent
● family leave for all employees – 40 per cent
● non-discrimination policies (on the website/in job ads) – 31 per cent
Naeem concluded this year’s 2024 Workmonitor media launch with, “In today’s complex global environment, companies need to recognise that employees are diverse individuals with unique experiences and perspectives that shape their goals and impact their work. By providing equal chances and fulfilling learning opportunities, companies are already strengthening their talent attraction and retention strategies.”
The survey is conducted online among respondents aged 18 to 67 years old who are either employed for at least 24 hours per week, sole traders, or unemployed but are considering looking for a job in the future. The minimum sample size is 500 interviews per market. Dynata is used for sampling purposes. The survey for our 2024 study was conducted between October 23 and November 11, 2023 among 27,000 workers in Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong SAR, Hungary, India, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Türkiye, the United Kingdom and the United States.
