At Netflix, we think you have to build a sense of responsibility where people care about the enterprise. Hard work, like long hours at the office, doesn’t matter as much to us. We care about great work.
– Reed Hastings, American businessman
I don’t know whether to laugh or cry when I read the Public Service Department’s recent announcement that a special team has been set up to study and analyse a four-day working week proposal following requests from several quarters.
Being a ‘workaholic freak’ since the day I entered the world of journalism in 1979 at age 19 and having worked long hours with hardly any overtime pay – and that too without complaining (ask my former bosses for verification) – for two Foochow-run newspapers as a subeditor and eventually as the editor-in-chief until 2009 before moving on to a national tabloid, I find the four-day working week suggestion amusing.
I recall the day sometime in the early 90s when I had to work 24 hours nonstop just to meet the publication deadline of a special Head of State’s birthday anniversary 24-page pull-out. I was the acting chief editor then as the lady chief editor was on a year-long stint in Kota Kinabalu to handle the Sabah edition.
I still managed to carry out the day-to-day tasks the following day with hardly any rest. My colleagues helped me with the pull-out, though I had to tersely tell them to go home as I wanted them to be fresh the next day.
Hence, the three-day rest is indeed laughable. No offence here, but to even think of working only four days a week is a cardinal if not mortal sin!
Just because Johor assemblywoman Nor Rashidah Ismail proposed a four-day work week from Monday to Thursday with the remaining three days as rest days for her state, some smart alecks in the other Malayan states jumped on the bandwagon to also seek fewer work days.
Now, sit back and ask yourselves this question: “Is the current five-day week fully utilised by employees, especially those in the public sector to full effect?” I leave it to the readers to decide.
As it is, we are only working 40 hours a week. Certain quarters are already suggesting that the work hours be cut to 35 per week!
Just in case you are not aware, some countries in Europe have begun implementing the four-day working week – but only for certain job categories. Britain took the spotlight in early June when it implemented the four-day working week for 3,000 employees in 70 companies – but without cuts to their pay.
Let’s get this very clear. Malaysia is still not ready for the four-day work week. Why?
First and foremost, we are facing manpower shortage. The immigration fellas are not merciful when it comes to employing foreigners; so many conditions are in place!
Secondly, our productivity level is low.
Thirdly, Malaysia’s automation level has not yet reached that of countries that have implemented the four-day week.
As SME Association of Malaysia chief Ding Hong Sing aptly puts it: “Fewer work hours in Malaysia will result in less output and subsequently higher prices in the market as companies still need to cover their fixed costs.
“For example, if you make 100,000 products in one week, and when you shorten the working days, it will become 80,000. But we still need to pay salaries and rent so we will need to raise prices to cover the cost and this will affect the overall economy.
“And countries which have the four-day week system in place are advanced and their production is automated.
“The proposal is good but Malaysia cannot survive if we are to implement the system.”
Get the drift, especially those who are clamouring for fewer work days?
We should not rush to implement this policy because its implications and effects are so far-reaching and profound that once implemented and it’s found detrimental, it will be difficult to make a U-turn.
There should be discussions among the employers, employees and government. Many things need to be ironed out because the current field of employment is already diverse.
Working hours are different in industries and sectors. The manufacturing sector, for example, will have shifts, so the working hours and even off days are different.
So, let’s not follow the European countries which have different work culture and working hours. Our policymakers need to conduct a feasibility study with other Asean countries first.
I agree with Associated Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Malaysia president Tan Sri Low Kian Chuan that we should first improve productivity and competitiveness.
“We are short of two working days so we cannot reduce more now.
“Also, Malaysia is ranked second with the most public holidays in the world at about 20 days and there are always additional holidays such as winning a football game.”
True. And what about the frequent breaks in between work hours, especially in the civil service? What about sick leave, maternity or paternity leave, and what not?
Customer service in the government sector will definitely suffer. And in the end you and I will feel the effect.
People are telling me a four-day week will reduce the stress level of workers and allow them more time to spend with family and friends.
Oh yeah, people will take holidays and spend more money in the malls and eat in restaurants and kedai kopi and this will boost the economy.
One fella has this to say: “Industries can save money through reduced utility bills. Also, fewer people will drive to work and this will reduce pollution from vehicles.
“A three-day rest day can lead to more committed employees and they are less likely to be stressed out or take ‘sick or emergency leave’ as they have plenty of time to rest. Which means, they will return to work feeling refreshed.”
Whatever, they are entitled to their views! It’s up to the authorities and decision makers to take the views of everyone into account before coming up with a decision.
My stand is that unless the relevant parties conduct a comprehensive study and analyse the suitability of the new work week arrangement, we should not cave in to demands for a four-day week which may have disastrous consequences. Period!
