Is it true that Malaysian employers fail to keep themselves up to date with the current demand or are the Gen Y employees are asking for too much?

Many are telling their employers to adopt more flexible measures like companies such as Google and Facebook do since there are more people of Gen Y in today’s workforce.

In conjunction of the Labour Day, Astro AWANI interviewed Gen Y workers to know what are their expectations from their employers.

Here is what they said.


Flexible working hours

Nursabiha Fadillah, 26, said the need to go into work and leave at a certain time is a system which is no longer relevant.

“I want flexibility in working hours, as long as I fulfil the 8 hours of work. I can finish my work within that hours,” she said.


Casual relationship with employer

Nik Ezzah Syukriah Sukri, 27, said the too formal relationship between employers and their staff is not healthy.

“I want a more casual working relationship with my boss,” he said.

“Some still have the fear of boss mentality which I feel can hinder one from unleashing one’s true potentials,” he added.


Listen to the views of the younger generation

For Nur Sakilah Ismail, 27, the younger generation of workers are often subjected to ridicule by the older and more experience management who are usually in their middle age.

"Today’s bosses do not ask for input or ideas from their employees,” she told Astro AWANI.

“If the bosses do that, Gen Y would feel more appreciated and would be more driven to carry out their tasks. They would even work extra time,” she added.


Reduce bureaucracy

“Gen X is more focussed on procedures. Their work is very much according to procedure and law, but we the Gen Y are more flexible,” said Mohd Ridzuan Hassan, 29.

He said the management structure in most local companies is outdated.

“Yes, we do follow procedures but if we go through too much of bureaucracy, a lot of work will be delayed,” he said.


Infrastructure to reduce stress

Nursabiha Fadillah emphasised on the need to have the right infrastructure at workplace to pull employees.

“When we are stressed, we can go into the playroom or recreational room. Pool table or karaoke room or even PlayStation,” she said.

She said her company had already implemented this at her workplace.

“From my observation, such infrastructure are not only utilised by the Gen Y but all staff,” she added.


So, should employers adopt changes at workplace?

Human Resource Development Fund (HRDF) chief executive officer Datuk C.M. Vignaesvaran said employers risk losing quality workers if they refuse to adopt to changes.

He said HR department in many companies are facing the challenge to renew their company policy to fulfil the requirement of the new generation.

‘The market now is very worker-oriented. If the employers refuse to adopt to changes , then quality workers will not stay,” he said when contacted by Astro AWANI.

He said some companies still are adhering to old system because they are afraid of bringing changes to their bosses.

“This is because their bosses are usually Gen X or baby boomers so it is difficult for them to convince their bosses to adopt changes,” he added.

Vignaesvaran also called on companies to re-evaluate their employee’s benefits and how it can be improved to meet today’s demand.


So, what do the employers say?

Malaysian Employers Federation (MEF) Datuk Shamsuddin Bardan said employers are finding it difficult to give flexibility to the Gen Y as they are afraid it would affect their productivity.

Citing flexible working hours as an example, Shamsuddin said employers are afraid employees will not give full concentration to work if such flexibility is allowed.

“So, employers think employees will only do 10 per cent of office-related work if they opt for flexibility in working hours,” he said.

He said the onus is on the employee to prove that they can be trusted and have high integrity.

Although he agreed that employers need to adopt changes to meet current workforce’s demands, he cautioned that both parties need to play their role for a smooth transition.

Shamsuddin believe if the issue of trust is addressed, local employers will be more willing to fulfil the younger employees’ demands.