Employment Hero has released a global report examining the impact of COVID-19 on business owners and employees.
The survey which included more than 1000 Malaysian employers and employees found that 70% of Malaysian businesses would mandate COVID-19 vaccinations for all their staff. Employees, too, appear to be on board, with 76% agreeing to accept the vaccine, and only 7% saying they would refuse to take the vaccine.
Of all the countries surveyed on the subject, Malaysian employers show the highest level of compulsory vaccination intent, versus employers in Australia (33%), the United Kingdom (33%), and New Zealand (35%).
Despite high levels of acceptance of vaccinations among the Malaysian workforce, the uncertainty of vaccine rollout timelines leaves many hesitant about returning to the office anytime soon, with only 29% of Malaysian employees and 31% of Malaysian employers expecting to return to the office in the next six months.
As such, Malaysian employers are considering long-term remote or flexible working models to safeguard their workforce from continued restrictions and risks. As many as 32% of Malaysian employers anticipate their teams to continue working remotely or flexibly, and just as many said they would allow more geographic and work hour flexibility.
However, with the future of work still uncertain, stress levels amongst Malaysian employees (61%) and Malaysian employers (58%) have risen, but many employees (47%) don’t feel comfortable discussing their mental health with superiors.
“The mental-health fallout of COVID-19 in the workforce needs more attention. The workplace is an important environment to discuss mental health, but because of the stigma attached to it and the fear of job losses, many people are continuing to suffer in silence,” said Ben Thompson, Chief Executive Officer and Co-founder of Employment Hero.
“Employers have the opportunity to change this climate by making mental wellbeing a business priority. Providing employees with the right resources, supportive leadership, and taking a customised approach to mental health are great first steps,” Thompson added.
