Flexible work from home are here to stay.

Malaysians strongly support flexible working arrangements such as work from home that mix remote and in-person work.

PwC Malaysia recently surveyed 2,086 Malaysians who are active in the labour market. 

They were among the 52,195 respondents surveyed globally across 44 territories. 

The Workforce and Fears Survey explores critical areas such as job satisfaction so that organisations can build greater trust with their employees and support their needs. 

Employers should not be hasty in dismissing the phenomenon because 17% tell us they will likely seek new employment in the next 12 months. 

More than half (60%) of those surveyed indicate that they expect their employers to adopt the flexible working arrangement.

Meanwhile, only 18% of Malaysian respondents say they prefer to work from home full time, and 27% expect their employer to work full-time in person.

According to PwC Malaysia deputy executive chair Nurul A’in Abdul Latif, organisations incorporating hybrid work models must be aware of tendencies such as proximity bias.

Proximity bias is another name for the inherent tendency of human beings to favour the people and ideas physically closest at hand and therefore most familiar to them.

The new normal of work from home arrangements

The ‘new normal’ ways of work may impact employees’ sense of community and connection with colleagues and the company culture. 

Gen Z (ages 18-25) employees, in particular, are less satisfied with their job compared to other age groups. 

Those surveyed in this group said there was a disconnect as they joined the workforce during the pandemic.

Thus, organisations need to re-engage them and ensure there are steps to create a cohesive and inclusive culture in which employees can participate.

“When it comes to pay and progression, are employers ready to have this conversation amidst today’s economic backdrop? 

Nurul A’in also asked if the employers are doing enough to ensure that the skills gap continues to narrow.

Employees know their worth

The greatest challenge in the workforce facing the organisation is the “The Great Resignation”. 

Post pandemic industry leaders are trying to answer why workers leave their work independently.

When considering the factors, financial compensation tops the list with 69% of Malaysian respondents as the most crucial factor in their decision to stay or leave their jobs.

This decision is unsurprising, with today’s economic realities of the cost of living. 

Furthermore, 66% of Malaysian respondents find meaning in work matters.

The recognition of their value to employers and the impact that they make has inspired confidence in asking for what they are worth.

32% of the Malaysian respondents were very likely to ask their employers for a raise, while 28% said they would likely ask for a promotion.

The Workforce and Fears Survey report are the third in a series dating to 2020. 

The 2020 report ‘Digital Resilience in a new world’ thought leadership was prepared independently by PwC Malaysia in 2020 as a local version of PwC’s Global’ Hopes and Fears’ report published in 2019. 

Download the 2021 Hopes and Fears Malaysia report here. 

PwC is a network of firms in 156 countries with over 295,000 people delivering quality assurance, advisory and tax services. They build trust in society and solve significant problems.