Poor work-life balance: The worst to come if unaddressed, says experts

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SHAH ALAM - Poor work-life balance is not just a personal issue. It carries significant economic consequences.

Experts caution that if left unattended, it could result in increased healthcare expenses, decreased workforce engagement and reduced productivity, potentially costing the economy billions.

Reports have stated that Malaysia has been ranked the second worst country for work-life balance out of 60 countries in the Global Life-Work Balance Index.

This alarming ranking highlighted the critical need for immediate and effective measures to improve work-life balance in the Malaysian workforce.

Psychiatrist and Malaysian Mental Health Association (MMHA) president Professor Datuk Dr Andrew Mohanraj said this ranking was not surprising given the current work culture in Malaysia and stressed the urgent need for reforms to address this critical issue.

"Employers should offer flexible working hours, remote working options and part-time opportunities to help employees balance their work and personal life.

"This was initiated during the Covid-19 pandemic and has become a norm in several organisations. However, more needs to be done," he said.

Dr Mohanraj also highlighted the importance of fostering a work culture that discourages excessive overtime and promotes regular breaks and vacations.

He stressed that young people entering the workforce were particularly reassured when employers offer mental health support, including counseling services and stress management programmes.

Accessible childcare services, either at the workplace or nearby, can also significantly help working parents manage their responsibilities more effectively.

"We also need to embrace a work culture that discourages excessive overtime and encourage taking regular breaks and vacations.

"Young people entering the work force are also assured when employers offer mental health support, including counseling services and stress management programmes, to help employees cope with workplace pressures.

"Providing accessible childcare services can help working parents manage their responsibilities more effectively. This could be at the workplace or in the vicinity of the workplace with varying support from the employer," he said.

Malaysians were accustomed to long working hours, often exceeding the standard 40-hour work week.

This, he said drastically reduced the time available for personal and family activities and there must be a concerted effort to change this work expectation.

"Long and stressful commutes, especially in the Klang Valley and Penang, consume a significant portion of the day, further contributing to poor work-life balance.

"A work culture that prioritises long hours and constant availability over personal time can perpetuate this issue," he said.

Dr Mohanraj warned of several long-term implications if these issues remained unaddressed.

Prolonged stress and lack of personal time could lead to physical health issues such as hypertension and mental health problems like anxiety and depression.

Furthermore, poor work-life balance could strain personal relationships and family life, leading to social isolation and reduced quality of life.

"Mental health issues like burnout and fatigue can result in decreased productivity and efficiency at work.

"Dissatisfaction with work-life balance can lead to higher employee turnover rates, increasing recruitment and training costs for employers.

"Furthermore, poor work-life balance can strain personal relationships and family life, leading to social isolation and reduced quality of life," he said.

Not only that, Dr Mohanraj opined that the cumulative effects of poor work-life balance could impact the economy of the country through increased healthcare costs, reduced workforce participation and lower overall productivity.

He said according to a study by a local think tank, in 2018 alone, Malaysia lost an estimated RM15 billion in productivity due to mental health issues in the workplace.

Dr Mohanraj believed that the government can play a crucial role in improving work-life balance through legislative measures that regulate working hours, mandate minimum paid leave and protect employees' rights to disconnect from work during off-hours.

"Incentives and tax breaks can also be offered to businesses that adopt work-life balance-friendly practices and mental health support such as work place wellness programmes to prevent stress and burn out," he said.

Meanwhile, Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris psychology counseling expert Associate Professor Dr Fauziah Mohd Sa'ad echoed the same concerns.

She highlighted that overworked employees were likely to be less productive and more prone to errors.

Poor work-life balance, she said could also lead to increased health problems, higher absenteeism and healthcare costs.

If these issues were not addressed, the long-term implications could be severe, for example decreased productivity where overworked employees were likely to be less productive and more prone to errors.

"This can also increase health problems since poor work-life balance can lead to physical and mental health issues, increasing absenteeism and healthcare costs," she said.

She also said that high turnover rates and a reduced quality of life for employees were also significant concerns.

"The employers might face high turnover rates where employees may leave their jobs in search of better work-life balance, leading to higher recruitment and training costs for employers.

"This will lead to a reduced quality of life, a sustained lack of balance can negatively impact employees' overall well-being and happiness," she added.