Guidelines on Flexible Working Arrangements in Malaysia

 

Purpose:

To promote work-life balance, enhance employee wellbeing, and support business continuity—particularly during disruptions like pandemics or economic shifts.

 

Key Features:

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Types of Flexible Working Arrangements

• Flexi-time: Employees choose their start and end times within a fixed bandwidth.

• Compressed Work Week: Employees work longer hours per day to shorten the number of working days per week.

• Remote Work / Work from Home (WFH): Employees work outside the traditional office setting.

• Job Sharing: Two employees share the responsibilities of one full-time job.

• Part-Time Work: Reduced work hours compared to a full-time schedule.

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Application Process (as per Employment Act amendment 2022)

• Employees must apply in writing to request flexible work.

• Employers must respond within 60 days with approval or reasonable grounds for rejection.

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Employer Responsibilities

• Assess applications fairly based on business needs and job suitability.

• Maintain open communication and document arrangements clearly.

• Ensure employee entitlements (e.g., leave, EPF, SOCSO) remain protected.

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Employee Responsibilities

• Comply with agreed work hours and job performance expectations.

• Maintain availability and communication during work hours.

• Use company resources responsibly, especially when working remotely.

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Legal Framework

• FWAs are supported under Employment Law Malaysia and align with global best practices in labour law Malaysia.