About 80 percent of Malaysians would readily take up social work if their employers were to give them paid time off, according to a survey from Randstad Workmonitor.

Companies usually decide a particular social cause that they would like their employees to volunteer for and give them the paid time off. However, 40 percent of the employees who replied to the survey said they could choose the organization and cause that they wanted to work for and their employers supported them by giving them paid time off.  

A company-wide charitable cause or an initiative was vital for 83 percent of the respondents during the process of searching for a job. Even though 82 percent said unpaid voluntary work was necessary in order to be a responsible citizen, just 49 percent of those who took part in the study said they signed up to volunteer outside of working hours.

Malaysians also believe in diversity and workplace equality. This belief is evident from the 93 percent who said they would like to get opportunities that are in line with an employee’s strengths. These respondents also said irrespective of a person’s gender, age, race, ethnicity, religion, physical conditions or sexual orientation, equal opportunities should be available for all. However, only 69 percent reported that their workplaces actually have a diversity and inclusion policy.

The job satisfaction levels have decreased by five points and almost half of the respondents have switched jobs in the last six months in Malaysia. The factors that motivate people to move jobs include dissatisfaction with previous employers, personal career goals and better working situations.

The Workmonitor study was an online survey conducted among 18-65-year-olds who worked in paid jobs.