Flexible Working Arrangements (FWAs) in Malaysia: Are We There Yet?

The nature of work has changed and evolved to be in tandem with the societies' advancement. Many business organisations, especially in the developed countries, have taken up the work-life balance (WLB) which can be realised through flexible working arrangements (FWAs) as they could see the bene...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Sharija Che Shaari, Sharifah Rahama binti Amirul
Format: Article
Language:English
English
Published: 2020
Subjects:
Online Access:https://eprints.ums.edu.my/id/eprint/26475/1/Flexible%20Working%20Arrangements%20%28FWAs%29%20in%20Malaysia.pdf
https://eprints.ums.edu.my/id/eprint/26475/2/Flexible%20Working%20Arrangements%20%28FWAs%29%20in%20Malaysia1.pdf
_version_ 1825714017321091072
author Sharija Che Shaari
Sharifah Rahama binti Amirul
author_facet Sharija Che Shaari
Sharifah Rahama binti Amirul
author_sort Sharija Che Shaari
collection UMS
description The nature of work has changed and evolved to be in tandem with the societies' advancement. Many business organisations, especially in the developed countries, have taken up the work-life balance (WLB) which can be realised through flexible working arrangements (FWAs) as they could see the benefits of FWAs upon the sustainability of their businesses and the well-being of their employees. FWAs refer to arrangements that allow employees some degree of flexibility and control over when, where, and how their work is performed. FWAs are not something new, especially in developed countries such as the United Kingdom, the United States, Australia and Germany. FWAs offer a wealth of benefits such as improve the well-being of employees by promoting work-life balance, maintaining talent pool through effective recruitment and retention; and one of the mechanisms to boost the employees' productivity. Thus, it is the objective of this study to explore whether the existing Malaysian employment law is sufficient to deal with FWAs. In achieving its aim, this study uses a doctrinal legal research methodology. It is an established traditional genre of research in the legal field which is concerned with the systematic analysis of the legal doctrine, legal rules, principles, concepts, theories and principle of all types of case, statutes and rules or a combination of some or all of them. It is interesting to note there are three main statutes in Malaysia which protect the minimum rights of employees. This legislation is segregated based on three different regions in Malaysia. First is the Malaysia Employment Act 1955 (Act 265) covers employees in Peninsular Malaysia. Next are the Sabah Labour Ordinance 1950 (Cap 67) and Sarawak Labour Ordinance 1959 (Cap 76) which cover employees in the states of Sabah and Sarawak respectively. It is submitted here that existing Malaysia's employment law is inadequate to deal with FWAs. The finding will be useful in adding to the existing literature. It will also benefit the policymakers should they intend to formulate specific legislation governing FWAs. In conclusion, it is pertinent for Malaysia to have specific legislation dealing with FWAs in place.
first_indexed 2024-03-06T03:05:31Z
format Article
id ums.eprints-26475
institution Universiti Malaysia Sabah
language English
English
last_indexed 2024-03-06T03:05:31Z
publishDate 2020
record_format dspace
spelling ums.eprints-264752021-01-06T14:01:02Z https://eprints.ums.edu.my/id/eprint/26475/ Flexible Working Arrangements (FWAs) in Malaysia: Are We There Yet? Sharija Che Shaari Sharifah Rahama binti Amirul H Social Sciences (General) HB Economic theory. Demography The nature of work has changed and evolved to be in tandem with the societies' advancement. Many business organisations, especially in the developed countries, have taken up the work-life balance (WLB) which can be realised through flexible working arrangements (FWAs) as they could see the benefits of FWAs upon the sustainability of their businesses and the well-being of their employees. FWAs refer to arrangements that allow employees some degree of flexibility and control over when, where, and how their work is performed. FWAs are not something new, especially in developed countries such as the United Kingdom, the United States, Australia and Germany. FWAs offer a wealth of benefits such as improve the well-being of employees by promoting work-life balance, maintaining talent pool through effective recruitment and retention; and one of the mechanisms to boost the employees' productivity. Thus, it is the objective of this study to explore whether the existing Malaysian employment law is sufficient to deal with FWAs. In achieving its aim, this study uses a doctrinal legal research methodology. It is an established traditional genre of research in the legal field which is concerned with the systematic analysis of the legal doctrine, legal rules, principles, concepts, theories and principle of all types of case, statutes and rules or a combination of some or all of them. It is interesting to note there are three main statutes in Malaysia which protect the minimum rights of employees. This legislation is segregated based on three different regions in Malaysia. First is the Malaysia Employment Act 1955 (Act 265) covers employees in Peninsular Malaysia. Next are the Sabah Labour Ordinance 1950 (Cap 67) and Sarawak Labour Ordinance 1959 (Cap 76) which cover employees in the states of Sabah and Sarawak respectively. It is submitted here that existing Malaysia's employment law is inadequate to deal with FWAs. The finding will be useful in adding to the existing literature. It will also benefit the policymakers should they intend to formulate specific legislation governing FWAs. In conclusion, it is pertinent for Malaysia to have specific legislation dealing with FWAs in place. 2020 Article PeerReviewed text en https://eprints.ums.edu.my/id/eprint/26475/1/Flexible%20Working%20Arrangements%20%28FWAs%29%20in%20Malaysia.pdf text en https://eprints.ums.edu.my/id/eprint/26475/2/Flexible%20Working%20Arrangements%20%28FWAs%29%20in%20Malaysia1.pdf Sharija Che Shaari and Sharifah Rahama binti Amirul (2020) Flexible Working Arrangements (FWAs) in Malaysia: Are We There Yet? International Journal of Business, Economics and Law, 12 (4). pp. 13-22. ISSN 2289-1552
spellingShingle H Social Sciences (General)
HB Economic theory. Demography
Sharija Che Shaari
Sharifah Rahama binti Amirul
Flexible Working Arrangements (FWAs) in Malaysia: Are We There Yet?
title Flexible Working Arrangements (FWAs) in Malaysia: Are We There Yet?
title_full Flexible Working Arrangements (FWAs) in Malaysia: Are We There Yet?
title_fullStr Flexible Working Arrangements (FWAs) in Malaysia: Are We There Yet?
title_full_unstemmed Flexible Working Arrangements (FWAs) in Malaysia: Are We There Yet?
title_short Flexible Working Arrangements (FWAs) in Malaysia: Are We There Yet?
title_sort flexible working arrangements fwas in malaysia are we there yet
topic H Social Sciences (General)
HB Economic theory. Demography
url https://eprints.ums.edu.my/id/eprint/26475/1/Flexible%20Working%20Arrangements%20%28FWAs%29%20in%20Malaysia.pdf
https://eprints.ums.edu.my/id/eprint/26475/2/Flexible%20Working%20Arrangements%20%28FWAs%29%20in%20Malaysia1.pdf
work_keys_str_mv AT sharijacheshaari flexibleworkingarrangementsfwasinmalaysiaarewethereyet
AT sharifahrahamabintiamirul flexibleworkingarrangementsfwasinmalaysiaarewethereyet