Gen Zs and Millennials in Malaysia report an alarmingly high level of workplace harassment

Inappropriate emails, physical advancements, and repeated condescending remarks are the most common experiences faced.

In the Deloitte Global 2023 Gen Z and Millennial Survey, it was reported that 70% of Gen Zs and 61% of Millennials in Malaysia have experienced harassment or microaggressions at work in the past 12 months.

The survey listed inappropriate emails, physical advances, and physical contact as the most common harassment experiences, while exclusion, gender-based undermining, and unwanted jokes are the most common microaggressions experienced.

In comparison to global statistics, workplace harassment in Malaysia stood at a significantly higher rate. For instance, while 11% of Millennials globally have reported inappropriate physical contact, 26% of Malaysia Millennials reported having the same experience.

Of the respondents who experienced harassment, about nine in 10 Gen Zs and eight in 10 Millennials reported it to their employer. However, a third of Gen Zs who did so believed the issues were not handled effectively, with one-quarter of Millennials believing so.

Top causes of concern for Gen Z and Millennial employees in Malaysia 

In separate findings, the survey highlighted the top issues of concern for these demographics in the workforce:

Gen Zs

• Cost of living - 45%
• Crime/personal safety - 23%
• Economic growth - 20%
• Healthcare/disease prevention - 19%
• Unemployment - 18%

Millennials

• Cost of living - 50%
• Economic growth - 27%
• Food supplies/hunger/famine - 19%
• Cybersecurity/protection of personal data - 19%
• Crime/personal safety - 18%

As can be seen, both Gen Zs and Millennials have named cost of living as their top issue of concern, and more than half agree that they live paycheck to paycheck. This is further exacerbated by the potential economic recession which may inhibit them from asking for much-needed pay raises, flexible work arrangements, or finding better jobs.

As a result, a majority of young Malaysians have taken up a second job in addition to their primary job — with the top options being: being flexible gig work, selling products or services online, coaching sports, and more. This is further reinforced by Malaysians stating “I needed a secondary source of income” as a top reason for taking on side hustles (54% of Millennials, 47% of Gen Zs).

Comparing the figures globally, while cost of living also emerged as a top area of concern on a global average, the remaining issues of concern varied. In particular, the top five issues cited globally were:

Gen Zs globally

• Cost of living - 35%
• Unemployment - 22%
• Climate change - 21%
• Mental health of my generation - 19%
• Crime/personal safety - 17%

Millennials globally

• Cost of living - 42%
• Climate change - 23%
• Unemployment - 20%
• Healthcare/disease prevention - 19%
• Crime/personal safety - 18%

Interestingly, while Gen Zs and Millennials in Malaysia outdid the global average when it came to taking on a side job as a secondary source of income (47% & 54% vs 38% & 46%), both fared almost on par for other reasons cited: such as developing important skills and relationships, wanting to make a positive impact, and wanting variety in the work they do.

Thank you for reading our story! Please leave us a comment if you enjoy our content — take our 2023 Readers' Survey here.

Lead image: Shutterstock