TalentCorp CEO Thomas Mathew said having employees present at the workplace during peak business hours, like from 10am to 4pm, will ensure that a strong workforce is always available when demand is at its highest.
Under this arrangement, employees will not have to clock in or out.
“This encourages employees to focus on delivering results rather than merely chalking up the hours, thus promoting a more effective and fulfilling work culture,” he told FMT.
He said this will address concerns involving administration and the organisation of work schedules.
Last month, human resources minister Steven Sim said that under the Employment Act, workers can request for flexible work arrangements based on time, day and location.
He said such requests should be submitted to their employers for feedback within 60 days, and if rejected, employers must provide reasons.
However, the Malaysian Employers Federation said introducing flexible schedules in the work structure could pose problems, particularly when tasks are interdependent or require close collaboration among team members.
Human resources expert Usha Devi said flexible work arrangements would make it tough for smaller companies to manage employees’ schedules.
Mathew said another alternative companies could consider is to introduce mandatory office days for face-to-face meetings or team lunches to ensure in-person interactions and foster better ties among workers.
He said this would be valuable for employers who place great importance on physical interactions as key to boost creativity, innovation and company culture.
The TalentCorp CEO also urged companies to explore other types of flexible working arrangements apart from working from home based on their requirements, such as hybrid arrangements and adaptable workloads.
“These days, employees have plenty of options when it comes to jobs. Thus, businesses aren’t just competing to recruit top talent, they’re also fighting to hold on to the talent they already have,” he said.
“So it’s crucial for companies to quickly realise the importance of adjusting and improving their methods to accommodate the diverse needs and work styles of different generations,” he added.