M'sian SME employees want better career growth support: survey

KUALA LUMPUR – Employees at Malaysian small and medium enterprises (SMEs) want their employers to do more to support their career progression or risk them jumping ship, despite the challenges from the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. 

According to Employment Hero’s “2021 Employment and Recruitment Trends for Malaysia SMEs” report, 58 per cent of those surveyed identified career growth as a top consideration when contemplating moving jobs in 2021, while 87% expect better support in this area, moving forward, as this is a key motivator for talent.

It said other top motivators include work-life balance (49%) and more rewards and recognition (31%).

The report said that with the changing work landscape and the increasing demands on employees to manage their time within the restrictions imposed due to the pandemic, employees expect their employers to provide alternative arrangements.

“Overall, 52% of SME employees indicated a need for flexible working arrangements and 47% wanted additional financial support to improve their work-life balance,” it said.

Employment Hero chief executive officer and co-founder Ben Thompson said Covid-19 has changed the way both talent and employers approach the working world and shifted certain priorities.

“Professional career growth had always been a key motivator for Malaysian talent, and it was interesting to note that salary was not as high a priority moving into 2021, but rather overall support, recognition and autonomy to choose the way they want to work and balance their responsibilities,” he said.

Thompson said greater adoption of digital tools is one important way to better support employees at home, but moving into 2021, where remote or blended working would ultimately continue, SMEs must revisit proactive incentives and programmes they have in place that benefitted the overall wellbeing of their workforce.

“With strong support from the government through programmes such as the PENJANA National Economic Recovery Plan, SMEs are able to drive positive change in the way they support their employees,” he added.

The survey involved over 500 Malaysians employed by SMEs with up to 200 employees, aiming to better understand what employees are looking for and the different employment factors that would impact how SMEs in Malaysia hire and retain talent in 2021. – Bernama, December 3, 2020.