MUKAH: Civil servants working from home (WFH) during the movement control order (MCO) had mixed reaction to the new normal of service delivery resulting from the Covid-19 pandemic.
WFH is not their choice, but for the sake of their health and that of others, they do so.
The MCO is also one of the measures taken by the government to break the chain of Covid-19 infection.
Kampung Sungai Ragei/Sungai Pegei ketua kaum Mohamad Kasim, 71, said he was comfortable WFH as modern technology, particularly the smartphone, had helped facilitate his work.
He added that through the smartphone, he used the WhatsApp application extensively in dealing with his daily routine.
“The advantage of WFH is I am readily available at home, and people can easily come to me when they need my service,” said the community leader, who was appointed in 2011.
Mohamad who is also an ‘amil’ (entrusted to receive tithe) said being at home, he had more time to do certain work, including updating the village profile and others.
However, he said WFH had its disadvantage too because of the lack of physical interaction with colleagues, who sometimes are able to assist in certain matters, including giving ideas and suggestions, when working in the office.
“At home, I have no one to refer to or ask if I need help in certain matters,” the former teacher told New Sarawak Tribune yesterday.
Dalat and Mukah District Council (MDDM) engineer Jasmeer Zaisufir Sufian also felt comfortable WFH as he was less exposed to the risk of contracting Covid-19.
The Mukah-based engineer works from his home in Petra Jaya, Kuching.
According to him, there were many advantages of WFH, and being less exposed to the threat of Covid-19 was the most important thing.
Jasmeer said being at home, he could spend quality time with his family, including helping to take care of his sick father.
“At home we have flexible working schedule and experience less work stress,” he said via WhatsApp yesterday.
However, he said WFH also had disadvantages such as slow response or action taken when there was really a need for immediate attention or action.
He added WFH to a certain extent, affected working and human relationship among staff due to lack of interaction and contact.
Meanwhile, a Sarawak Labour Department staff, who wished to be known only as Amirra, said she worked at home and in the office on a rotational basis.
According to her, she used to WFH before, so there was not much difference, except at home there was no equipment such as photostat machine and printer to facilitate work.
However, she said now there was a difference in working situation “because we are in the new normal”.
“It is not like before where meeting is held in the office and all the staff are in the office and can easily interact personally,” Amirra, who is from Kuching, said via WhatsApp yesterday.
“Now is the new normal where meeting is held through video conferencing and we meet only through video call and Skype.”
