Malaysians Have The Right To Apply For Flexible Work Arrangements

Malaysians Have The Right To Apply For Flexible Work Arrangements

Human Resources Minister, Steven Sim Chee Keong, has reiterated that Malaysian workers have the right to apply to their employers for flexible work arrangements according to Sections 60P and 60Q of the Employment Act 1955.

Employers must reply within 60 days

In a recent post on X (formerly Twitter), the Minister explained that employees who submit requests for flexible work arrangements must receive feedback from their employers within 60 days. If the request was rejected, the employer must provide reasons why it was decided so.

“The Human Resources Ministry will continuously review and improve our labour policies and laws to support the 3Ks, namely welfare, skills, employee performance, and to enhance the country’s economic competitiveness,” he said.

In the same X post, Sim also attached an image of the Employment Act 1955, highlighting Part XIIC concerning flexible working arrangements.

To quote the Employment Act, Section 60P (1) states that: Subject to Part XII or anything contained in the contract of service, an employee may apply to an employer for a flexible working arrangement to vary the hours of work, days of work or place of work in relation to his employment.

It also states that under Section 60Q (1) that: The employee shall make an application for flexible working arrangement under section 60P in writing and in the form and manner as may be determined by the Director General.

The HR Minister made the post following the recent announcement that workers in Singapore are able to apply to work four days a week, more working days from home, and phased working hours starting from 1 December 2024.

This follows a Tripartite Guidelines on Flexible Work Arrangements announced by the Tripartite Alliance for Fair and Progressive Employment Practices (TAFEP) in the nation recently.