Prime Minister of Malaysia, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin highlighted that Putrajaya will be looking to extend the work from home (WFH) arrangement for both public and private sector staff.
This initiative includes giving full pay to workers caring for an ailing family member, or in the case of men, to assist their wives to look after a newborn child.
“The move was to encourage shared responsibility and enable women to remain in employment as well as increase women’s work productivity. I suggest that the Public Service Department and the Human Resource Ministry look into the feasibility of extending this facility,” he said in his Women’s Day 2021 speech.
Additionally, Putrajaya is also looking to extend WFH arrangements to workers whose spouses have just died, as matters related to the loss of loved ones normally takes time to settle.
Malaysians however have mixed responses towards the move from the Prime Minister.
“I agree with the Prime Minister because it is easier for the parents, especially mothers to do home chores and look after their children. The kids should be better at home if schools are continued to be closed,” engineer Nazrin mentioned.
Media executive, Raaina said the flexibility should be extended to non-married employees as well because everyone deserves the flexibility.
“WFH has its own advantages and disadvantages. For example, WFH is much more flexible, much comfortable working pace and no traffic jams in the morning. On the other hand, workers need to have high discipline as it is much more relaxed at home than in the office,” working mother, Nurhidayani commented on the other hand.
According to LinkedIn’s, Vice President of Talent and Learning Solutions of Asia-Pacific, Feon Ang 78 percent of Malaysians have worked from home, and 34 percent of women feel satisfied with current work home arrangements, compared to 31 percent of men.
“With the increase in remote work, it is important for organisations to look after the well-being of their employees by encouraging work-life balance,” she added.
“The main concern in WFH is the access to the internet and organisation’s system. Please be advised that most systems used in their workplaces are not up to date yet, and do not mention the higher ups who do not have the time and intention to learn how to use it,” corporate worker, Han told BusinessToday.
According to International Islamic University Malaysia’s Department of Psychology, Dr. Ruhaya Hussin said that the myth of single and unmarried employees perceived as having no family responsibilities still lingers in society and that elevates unmarried employees’ stress level.
“Realistically, employers or supervisors should be aware of individual differences, specifically on the demand and support received by employees. However, with spousal and supervisors’ support, their work may still be accomplished in time,” she concluded.
