KUALA LUMPUR: Two-thirds of 1,015 Malaysian employees polled are burnout, according to a survey by the Employment Hero.
The 2024 Wellness at Work report found a significant rise in employee burnout from 58 per cent in 2022 to 67 per cent in 2024, emphasising the urgent need for enhanced mental health support and workplace wellness initiatives.
Millennials are the hardest hit generation, with 69 per cent experiencing burnout, followed closely by their Gen Z colleagues at 64 per cent.
Employment Hero's 2024 Wellness at Work report focused on mental health, career wellness, and financial wellbeing.
To participate in the survey, respondents had to be employed in any capacity (full-time, part-time, casual, fixed term) and not be business owners.
The survey collected responses between April 12 and May 1, 2024.
In a statement today, the payroll and benefits software provider, said the biggest contributor to burnout among Malaysian employees is juggling work-life balance, with 55 per cent rating their work-life balance as poor or average. However, interestingly, 58 per cent of fully remote employees indicated that their overall work-life balance was above average, compared to 44 per cent of hybrid employees and 42 per cent of in-office employees.
"The findings of our 2024 Wellness at Work Report clearly shows that it's time for employers to consider embracing remote working and flexible arrangements more fully," says Employment Hero CEO and co-founder Ben Thompson.
He said the recent amendments to the Employment Act 1955 in Malaysia now regulate flexible work arrangements, is a positive step forward.
"By offering remote work and flexibility, employers can help their teams achieve a better work-life balance, reduce burnout, and improve overall job satisfaction. Supporting our employees' wellbeing not only helps them but also contributes to a more productive and motivated workforce," Thompson added.
This sentiment that flexible working arrangements could potentially pose a solution to the rising burnout is echoed throughout the report, with 88 per cent of knowledge workers wanting to work remotely at least one day per week, and remote and hybrid working seen as generally better not only for work-life balance, but also personal finances for the majority of Malaysians.
The report said with only 53 per cent of employees feeling on track with their financial goals and 49 per cent of respondents feeling that their workplaces are not doing enough to support rising living costs, it's clear that financial stress is also a major factor in the rapidly increasing burnout rate.
Its not all doom and gloom though as 52 per cent of employees rated their employer's commitment to improving overall health and wellbeing as above average, with 77 per cent of Malaysians satisfied with the working relationship they have with their manager.
The report said simply allowing for further flexible working options looks to be the primary incentive – apart from pay – that will not only contribute to workplace retention, but also talent attraction as well.