KUALA LUMPUR – Nearly 2 in 5 Malaysians are willing to walk away from their job if their boss requires them to work in the office more often, a new study reveals.

In the 2024 Workmonitor Research in Malaysia report, global talent agency Randstad surveyed more than 500 workers to determine just how important work flexibility is to them.

Of those asked, 39% said they would rather quit their job if their employer told them that they need to spend more time in the office. This is true especially among younger workers, with nearly half of Generation Z (49%) and Millennials (47%) giving this answer.

While work flexibility appears to be a popular choice for Malaysian workers, their employers do not seem to share the same enthusiasm for the arrangement.

In the same survey, more than half (52%) of employees said their boss expects them to be in the office more frequently. This is 17% higher compared to the number of global workers who had the same belief.

Randstad Malaysia Country Director Fahad Naeem shared some insights as to why workers seem to disagree with their employers on the matter of work flexibility.

“Flexibility in the workplace should encompass all aspects, including diverse work arrangements that promote equity,” Naeem said.

“Despite local employers establishing stricter office attendance requirements, an equitable understanding of flexibility and diversity recognises that the employee experience extends beyond where and when they work.”

Achieving greater work-life balance

During the height of the Covid pandemic, many businesses were forced to adjust their operations to cope with restrictions. Some employers allowed their staff to work remotely to stay productive even when they could not travel to the office.

However, now that restrictions have been lifted across the world, employers have started bringing their operations and productivity to pre-pandemic levels. Many companies, including the biggest names in the tech world, required their workers to go back to the office.

In the Randstad Malaysia study, two in five workers said they have already made life changes since they believed that they would still have flexible work arrangements even after the pandemic. Some have relocated to different areas, while others have even taken on pets.

Of those that have made such life changes, 51% were Gen Zers, while 47% were Millennials.

“During the pandemic, many people discovered they could work just as effectively, or even better, from home. This has shifted their perceptions of office-based work, making long commutes and expensive rent less appealing,” Naeem explained.

“As a result, job seekers are becoming more vocal about their expectations and are even rejecting higher-paying positions that require daily office attendance.”

Some companies still offer remote work options to their staff. However, 86% of Malaysian employees said they would rather work from their office at least three days a week. Meanwhile, 14% of workers would rather be in the office for less than two days a week.

Expectations versus reality

If Malaysian workers were to have their way, they prefer to have work flexibility at their jobs. However, many admit that this is not always the case.

Of those asked in the Randstad survey, half of workers said their boss has already introduced mandatory five-day office work policies. In reality, only a very small number (9%) of employees in the country get to work in the office for less than two days a week.

Interestingly, only one in 10 respondents said their company does not offer flexible work arrangements to workers.

“Flexible work arrangements not only benefit employees by enhancing work-life balance and autonomy but also have significant advantages for employers,” Naeem said.

“By offering these options, organisations can expand their talent pool to include individuals like persons with disabilities and caregivers.”

For Naeem, providing flexibility at work helps foster equal opportunities and expands the workforce of businesses. It also elevates the skills of their employees, which in turn allows them to contribute to economic growth.