Almost half of the workers in Malaysia work well over eight hours a day and regularly take work home to finish in the evening, according to the latest global survey findings from Regus.
Regus, the world’s largest provider of flexible workplaces, canvassed the opinions of over 12,000 business people in 85 countries.
Arguably, pressure on working hours has increased in recent years because of slow economic recovery in mature economies and, conversely, very rapid growth in emerging ones, Regus said in a statement here today.
The survey found 32 per cent of Malaysian workers and 38 per cent of global workers usually work between nine to 11 hours every day, while 15 per cent of workers in Malaysia regularly work more than 11 hours a day, compared to 10 per cent globally.
Regus Australia, New Zealand and South-East Asia regional vice-president William Willems said the study found a clear blurring of the lines between work and home.
The long-term effects of this over-work could be damaging both to workers’ health and to overall productivity as workers drive themselves too hard and become disaffected, depressed or even physically ill, he said.
“While our survey found remote and mobile workers generally worked longer hours, there is a growing body of evidence suggesting that remote workers are more productive, have a higher job satisfaction and lower stress levels,” he said, adding these workers typically spend far less time commuting, thus freeing up more time for their job.
Businesses that enable their employees to work from locations closer to home and manage their time more independently will offset the stress of a poor work-life balance and gain more productive, committed and healthy staff, he said.
– Bernama
CJMY
Shufiyan Shukur
Admin
