What Employers Should Do to Improve Work-From-Home Policy

There may be a need for a shift in corporate culture and policy in addressing the work-from-home (WFH) fatigue issue.

Employers and workers both agree that instead of a total return to the office, a hybrid arrangement may become the norm post-pandemic. Both sides also believe they need to make some sacrifices before they can experience the benefits. 

The Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC) stated that employers would have to be more flexible and tolerant. In contrast, the Malaysian Employers Federation (MEF) said both parties need to compromise to ensure that the hybrid arrangement becomes successful. 

In the past year or so, the WFH arrangement has taken its toll on both companies and staff. For the workers, it means longer hours, non-existent work-life balance and mental strain from the extra duties. As for employers, WFH caused a drop in productivity. 

 

Workers prefer a hybrid model instead of WFH

According to a recent survey by JLL, 68% of office workers across Asia-Pacific say that they prefer a model that enables them to switch between home and the office or elsewhere. 

It was a slight decrease from 74% recorded in a related survey conducted in October 2020.

The survey also revealed that the preference to work in the office post-Covid-19 has increased to three days a week, compared to two in the previous survey. 60% said they were more productive in the office than at home, compared with 54% last year. 

 

Balancing the workers' needs and responsibilities

Human resources expert Srithren Krishnan stated a more organised routine was among the reasons for the preference to go back to the office. 

He said that WFH usually leads to workers responding to employers' demands all day and an increase in demand from the family when they are at home. 

Srithren also said that a change in corporate culture and policy is needed. The company should include a clause in the employment contract that states explicitly what constitutes WFH and how the employer can compensate a worker for the additional work. 

He added that the government should amend the Employment Act to protect workers when they WFH.

A hybrid work arrangement could balance the need for the office and the flexibility of working from home.

A clear policy to guide employers

Deputy President of MTUC, Mohd Effendy Abdul Ghani stated a clear policy is necessary to guide employers. He said that employers should be more flexible and tolerant by providing permissions and freedom for workers to manage their families while finishing their duties. 

He added that employers must understand that the quality of work at home will differ from that at the workplace. Effendy said personal factors persuade many workers to prefer returning to the office. These personal factors include:

• Costs, 
• Stress, 
• Loneliness, 
• Distractions, 
• Burnout, 
• Effect on mental health, and
• Issues with professional development caused by WFH

 

Will the same issues arise under the hybrid arrangement?

The President of MEF, Datuk Dr Syed Hussain Syed Husman said workers must acknowledge that the same issues they face in the WFH arrangement will continue under a hybrid concept. 

He said that on days when they work from home, they might need to work longer hours. There will be more virtual meetings, and the line between professional and personal life will be blurred. 

He said that employers that adopt the WFH policy must define the responsibilities, expectations, eligibility and other guidelines. According to him, employers must carefully design the WFH policy to ensure high productivity and efficiency.  

Syed Hussain urged companies to offer guidance and advisory services, equip workers with the needed tools, provide mental health support, and allow employees to schedule their working hours. 

He also said employers should establish performance targets but avoid micromanagement. He added that when employers provide workers with the freedom to design their schedules, they might be able to establish a healthy work-life balance. 

Source: The Sun Daily

 

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