Millennials around the globe are clamouring for better work-life balance and flexibility in the workplace. However, millennials in Malaysia seem to prefer a more traditional workplace, said recruitment firm Randstad.
According to the Randstad Award 2016 research results, nearly half of millennials aged 18 to 24 years in Malaysia, 45%, stated that they preferred to stick to standard work hours. This was even higher than employees aged 25 to 44 years and 45 to 65 years of which 40% and 39% stated a preference for standard work hours respectively.
Malaysian millennial sentiment around standard work hours was stronger than millennials in both Singapore and Hong Kong of which 29% and 28% respectively, stated that they had a preference for standard work hours.
Telecommuting was not a top priority for Malaysian millennials either. Nearly a third of all employees in this age group, 28%, stated that they would prefer to work in the office every workday in lieu of telecommuting occasionally. This was similar to employees aged 25 to 44 of which 28% stated a preference for working in the office as did 30% of employees aged 45 to 65.
Singaporean and Hong Kong Millennial employees only had 24% and 26% respectively state that they would want to work in the office every day.
Ryan Carroll, Country Director of Randstad Malaysia noted, “The results revealed from the Randstad Award report are truly unexpected. The emergence of work-life balance as a top priority for Millennials around the world is well known, yet despite this, Millennials in Malaysia have voiced out that this is not as important to them.”
“The preference for a more traditional workplace could stem from the weak Malaysian economic outlook that has Millennials more concerned about securing and retaining a job rather than worrying about benefits such as flexible work schedules,” said Carroll.
The Randstad Award is based on the outcome of the world’s largest survey into employer branding and is the only award which is truly representing ‘the people’s choice’. This extensive research surveys over 200,000+ respondents across different age groups, genders and educational levels, and covers 75% of the global economy.
Shell Malaysia was named the most attractive employer in Malaysia at the Randstad Award 2016. The award, held on the 28th of April, was the first ever for Malaysia and the 16th edition globally.
