‘90PC OF MALAYSIANS PREFER AGILE WORKING’

Respondents believe it can increase productivity, improve job satisfaction, Randstad Workmonitor survey shows

MOST Malaysian employees prefer “agile working” as it allows them to maintain a good work-life balance, according to a survey conducted by global human resources firm, The Randstad Group.

In its Randstad Workmonitor, the firm said nine out of every 10 Malaysian respondents preferred flexibility as they believed it could boost productivity and improve job satisfaction.

“Agile working is gaining popularity in Malaysia, as more and more employees want to have autonomy in the way they work.

“However, as much as technology has helped made it possible to be more productive and creative at work, it can be quite frustrating and intrusive for those who feel that they need to respond to emails immediately, even during the weekends,” said Randstad Malaysia country manager Ryan Carroll.

“Flexible work arrangements can only improve work-life balance and boost productivity when ground rules are set and agreed upon between employers and their staff.”

But Malaysian employees who have easy access to work via digital devices feel compelled to be “always-on† and are not always sure how and when to disconnect from work.

Millennials (68 per cent) are feeling more pressured to be “always-on†” as compared with workers between 55 and 67 years old (39 per cent).

Randstad Workmonitor is a quarterly research on global employment trends.

The 2018 quarter one research was conducted between January and February with a minimum sample size of 400 interviews being undertaken in each country.

Besides Malaysia, surveys were also conducted in Hong Kong, China and Singapore.