HR Minister Reminds Malaysians of Flexible Work Arrangement Rights

Employees in Malaysia have been able to ask for flexible work arrangements (FWAs) since September 2022, according to Human Resources Minister Steven Sim Chee Keong's recent announcement on April 17th.

Sim mentioned this in response to new guidelines in Singapore that let employees request four-day work weeks, more work-from-home days, and staggered work timings.

The minister shared a photo on X (formerly Twitter), highlighting PART XIIC of the Employment Act 1955, which includes Section 60P and Section 60Q, covering provisions and applications for FWAs.

What Employees Can Ask for Flexible Work Arrangements (FWAs)

In Malaysia, employees can formally ask their employers for flexible work arrangements (FWAs), which can include:

• Flexible hours
• Flexible workdays
• Flexible work locations, like working from home.

In contrast, Singapore employees can request four-day work weeks.

Sim explained that employees need to write down their requests.

"Employers must respond within 60 days. If they say no, they must explain why," the minister said. He added that his ministry wants to support employee well-being, skills growth, and the country's economic competitiveness through these rules in the Employment Act.

However, there are conditions to this right.

Although employees can ask for FWAs according to Section 60P, it's not guaranteed. Whether you get it depends on what's written in your job contract.

The law doesn't force companies to offer FWAs as a standard rule, but it lets employees ask for them if their contract doesn't say no and if they really need flexible hours.

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