Unlocking Flexibility: Malaysia’s New Work Norms

Today, we jump into a topic that's been recently making headlines and transforming the landscape of employment practices in Malaysia – flexible work arrangements. With recent updates to the Employment Act 1955, workers now have the opportunity to request variations in their hours, days, and even location of work, ushering in a new era of flexibility in the workplace.

According to the act, an employee has the right to request from their employer for a flexible working arrangement to vary the hours of work, days of work or place of work in relation to his employment, subject to approval based on anything contained in the contract of service. The act also stated that the employee shall make an application for a flexible working arrangement under section 60P in writing and in the form and manner as may be determined by the Labour director-general.

From compressed workweeks to telecommuting options, these arrangements offer employees greater autonomy and adaptability in managing their professional and personal lives considering the ever-changing nature of work-life balance. 

To shed light on the implications, benefits, and challenges of these changes to the workplace, we speak with Hetal Doshi, Organisational Psychologist and CEO of O-Psych.