KUALA LUMPUR: A human resource expert commended the government over its decision to reduce working hours to 45 from 48 hours per week, saying that this will increase productivity, especially for blue-collared workers who can also work from home.
“It is a win-win situation for both parties. Some may say it is only for three hours but it is a step in the right direction,” said training consultancy GKK Consultants Sdn Bhd chief executive officer Dr Gajendra Balasingham.
“With proper processes and systems in place, shortened hours will really see productivity actually increasing, as employees are motivated and feel appreciated,” he told Bernama on Thursday.
The working hours in Malaysia would be reduced as per the amendments to the Employment Act, effective Sept 1, 2022, to safeguard workers welfare and to provide flexibility in working hours, in line with the International Labour Organisation (ILO) Convention.
While the whole approach shows a caring government towards the country’s workforce, Gajendra said the advantage is that it enables employers to extend some free time to employees.
“Over these past few years, employees have had to work ever so hard, sometimes even more hours than necessary from home; some of them feared they would lose their jobs, too.
In many ways, the COVID-19 pandemic has opened up so many new avenues, possibilities and permutations of working from home, with a lot of trust being placed on employees who continued to perform well, he said.
He said the new norm and the Disruptive Digital Age have given a whole new meaning and flexibility in employment hours; there is also the hybrid alternative to consider that reduces travelling time commuting to and from work.
Employees are adult enough to be trusted to deliver work as and when needed and on time; sometimes employers have to also consider their plight and not overwork their workforce, he said.
“After all, they are also human and they need to be appreciated; show some care and concern for them too,” he added.
While trust is in place for employers and employees to work out the tangibles, the key performance index with work assignments also need to be tracked and rewarded.
“With this give-and-take approach, a balanced hybrid work environment will succeed and employee needs would also be met,” he said. — BERNAMA
