In a recent survey conducted by Randstad, the world’s leading human resources solutions agency, the results of the survey shows that 69% of the respondents in Malaysia have expressed their preference to continue working from home until the Covid-19 vaccine has been widely distributed.
In the first half of Workmonitor survey, Ranstad said that this is the highest in the region, with Singapore, China and Hong Kong trailing at 67%, 45% and 48% respectively.
In addition, 73% of the respondents in Malaysia said they do not feel safe in their workplace until their colleagues are vaccinated.
According to NST, the head of operations at Randstad Malaysia, Fahad Naeem said that this is not a surprise as people put a premium on their health and safety during a pandemic.
In addition, employees also expected their employers to take extra precautionary measures to ensure their health and safety.
“At the minimum, companies should implement stringent health and safety procedures and allow those who are able to work from home to do so.”
“Employers should also strengthen their workforce’s herd immunity by actively encouraging workers who are able to do so to take the vaccine.” he said.
Of the respondents who were working on-site amid the pandemic, 55% said they felt at risk of Covid-19 infection, while 59% said their productivity levels decreased due to the perpetual stress about being infected with Covid-19 at their workplace and compromising the health of their loved ones.
“Despite their health and safety concerns, less than one in two respondents (47%) said that their employers have incentivised them to get vaccinated against Covid-19.” the survey shows.
Despite the sharp rise in Covid-19 cases in Malaysia, 64% of the respondents said their employers would like them to work on-site. However, only 49% of respondents admitted that their job could not be performed off-site.
On the other hand, Fahad said many employers expressed their eagerness to return to pre-pandemic activity levels, but there is no rush to do so especially when the country was still experiencing a surge in Covid-19 cases.
“We already know that many employees find themselves more productive and less stressed when working from home, so there is a clear rising employee expectation for hybrid or remote work options. “
“It is hence critical for leaders to start reimagining the future of work, which will drive home the need for new work policies, digital investments and revised office designs to enable hybrid work arrangements and higher work productivity.” he said.
The survey was conducted in March 2021 across 34 markets around the world with a minimum of 400 respondents in each market.
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