In its 2022 employer brand research survey in Malaysia, human resources solutions agency Randstad said nine out of 10 respondents “took matters into their own hands” to improve their work-life balance.

Some 44% of them were working flexible time slots while 33% worked remotely more frequently. Meanwhile, 23% said they worked overtime less to ensure better work-life balance.

While 70% of surveyees marked work-life balance as among the top factors when it came to the ideal job, 74% of respondents said attractive salary and benefits were important for them.

The survey involved more than 2,500 Malaysians and was conducted in January.

Randstad Malaysia director Fahad Naeem said businesses were rapidly hiring new talent to ramp up operations as part of their Covid-19 recovery, with this demand giving job-seekers the opportunity to negotiate higher salaries and better benefits.

“It is critical for business and HR leaders to keep up with the evolving talent expectations. Many Malaysians are concerned about the rising inflation and cost of living.

“If their salaries don’t match their needs, employees will look for jobs with other companies that are able to meet their expectations to sustain their quality of life,” said Naeem.

He said Malaysians were prioritising work flexibility “more than ever”, adding that this was especially helpful for working parents.

“If their employer doesn’t offer the work flexibility they desire, it is very likely for them to search for a company that offers hybrid or flexible work.”

The survey also found that Malaysians wanted greater benefits in terms of healthcare and mental healthcare, with the pandemic highlighting the need for these two.

While 85% of surveyees wanted employers to offer them upskilling opportunities for professional and personal growth, only 59% said they had such prospects currently.