Malaysian employees are highly engaged

Malaysia’s employers should be credited for cultivating a corporate environment which encourages employees to remain dedicated and committed to their jobs.

According to findings from the Kelly Global Workforce Index (KGWI), 68% of the 2.300 Malaysian respondents stated they were ““totally committed” or “committed” to their jobs.

This figure was found to be higher than engagement levels in Singapore (63%) and Thailand and Hong Kong (64%).

The latest KGWI, called Engaging Active and Passive Job Seekers, found less than a third of employees globally are “totally committed” to their current employer, and while this level has remained consistent since 2012, it represents a sharp decline from 43% in 2010.

In addition, the report found better salaries and benefits are the main reason Malaysians move jobs (71%), with the figure even higher among Gen Y workers (77%).

Other factors included are management issues (52%), career advancement opportunities (47%), and a better work-life balance (45%).

“It’s clear that more needs to be done by employers to provide an environment that will help to retain staff in the long term. This will become even more critical as the war for talent intensifies,” Kamal Karanth, managing director, Kelly Services Malaysia and India, said.

“While salary and benefits are central to an employee’s priorities; advancement and learning from others are all crucial in their job decision, suggesting an ambitious workforce that is eager to learn and progress.”

The survey also delved into the type of environment employees wish to work in, with flexible working arrangements highly sought after (70%), the chance to operate in a highly collaborative environment (63%), and work in a virtual team that uses technology or IT to cross time zones and geographies (59%).

“Employers and senior management should capitalise on this hunger for improvement because it will make staff smarter, better at their jobs and less likely to leave, and that can only be good for business,” Karanth said.

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