Flexible Working in 2024

74.0% OF EMPLOYEES AGREE WITH POST-COVID WORK ARRANGEMENT POLICY, NEW STUDY FROM HAYS FINDS  

Opinions are divided on who should determine work arrangements, whether at home or on-site. 

Malaysia,14th Feb 2024 – Hays, the global leader in workforce solutions and specialist recruitment, reveals the latest flexible working options amongst 2,014 skilled professionals in Malaysia and its impact on employee satisfaction in the workplace.   

The online study conducted in late 2023, found 74.0% agree with their latest work arrangement policy. 52.7% of respondents received communications from their leaders suggesting that they believe culture and team morale can only be established through more face-to-face interactions. 

Additional takeaways: 

  • Among employees who disagree with their current work arrangement policy, Hays discovered that 69.2% of them currently work fully on-site or at least four days per week in office.  

  • Opinions regarding who should establish the organisation’s work arrangement policy were divided among respondents. 32.0% say this is up to the sole discretion of leadership, whilst 29.0% believe it should be a shared decision-making process. Notedly, only 5.9% say it should be entirely up to them. 

The study also found multinational companies offer more flexible working days to their employees compared to local companies.  

“Contrary to the commonly perceived tension between employers and employees, the majority of employees are receptive to the work arrangement adjustments needed to meet business priorities. To ensure these arrangements are tailored to benefit all parties, employers should continue engaging the workforce in their considerations” said Tom Osborne, Managing Director, Hays Southeast Asia. 

“While candidates has a preference for companies with flexible working options, having the platform to engage and openly discuss with teammates are just as crucial. Having the right avenue will inculcate sense of corporate value and belonging. Aside from that, feeling sufficiently challenged in their role were also important considerations to candidates as this will determine their growth and learning curve in an organisation.” said Natasha Ishak, Regional Director, Hays Malaysia.  

This press release was adapted from a Hays blog - 7 Trends Employees and Employers in Malaysia Should Know in 2024. 

-ends- 

Contact 

For more information contact:
Hays Malaysisa Marketing Team
E: marketing@hays.com.my

About Hays Malaysia

Agensi Pekerjaan Hays (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd ("Hays Malaysia") is one of the leading specialist recruitment companies in Malaysia in recruiting qualified, professional and skilled people across a wide range of industries and professions. We provide mid to senior level recruitment services across both finance and commerce industries. We have become known as the experts in sourcing regional and global candidates, as well as returning Malaysians.

Hays has been in Malaysia since 2012 and boasts a track record of success and growth, with two operating offices located in KLCC and Sunway. At Hays in Malaysia, we operate across the private and public sector, dealing in permanent positions in the following specialisms: Accountancy & Finance, Banking & Financial Services, Construction, Engineering, Human Resources, Insurance, Legal, Life Sciences, Manufacturing & Operations, Marketing & Digital, Procurement, Supply Chain, Sales and Technology. 

About Hays  

Hays plc (the "Group") is the world’s leading specialist in workforce solutions and recruitment, such as RPO and MSP. The Group is the expert at recruiting qualified, professional, and skilled people worldwide, being the market leader in the UK, Germany, and Australia and one of the market leaders in Continental Europe, Latin America, and Asia. The Group operates across the private and public sectors, dealing in permanent positions, contract roles and temporary assignments. As of 30 June 2023, the Group employed over 13,000 staff operating from 252 offices in 33 countries. For the year ended 30 June 2023: 

– the Group reported net fees of £1,294.6 million and operating profit of £197.0 million; 

– the Group placed around 76,800 candidates into permanent jobs and around 245,000 people into temporary roles; 

– 15% of Group net fees were generated in Australia & New Zealand, 30% in Germany, 21% in United Kingdom & Ireland and 34% in Rest of World (RoW); 

– the temporary placement business represented 57% of net fees and the permanent placement business represented 43% of net fees; 

– Technology is the Group’s largest division, with 26% of net fees, while Accountancy & Finance (15%) and Engineering (10%), are the next largest 

– Hays operates in the following countries: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, the Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Hungary, India, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, UAE, the UK, and the USA