LETTERS: After almost 500 days since the first Movement Control Order (MCO), the pandemic shows no sign of ending.
Businesses were made to change themselves to abide by the government-mandated SOPs, with Work from Home (WFH) becoming the change of choice.
According to Ipsos Malaysia, 65 per cent of Malaysian employees are on a WFH basis, and 41 per cent reported having their working hours reduced, both numbers being higher than the global average. These changes were viewed as necessary for businesses to generate the revenue needed to pay the bills without compromising health.
However, as systems and organisations can be changed automatically, humans cannot. They are created with delicate inner components that may be compromised during a crisis. This badly affects their mental state, which certainly will have ripple effects on their families and relationships.
The Government’s Guidelines Covid-19 Management No.5/2020 did elaborate extensively on preventing the spread of the disease. However, it outlined only two recommendations relating to mental health – conduct a mental health assessment and take measures to reduce stress. To what extent has this recommendation been carried out are still unknown as there is no data on such adherence.
These are questions that linger among employers during a crisis where actions must be immediate. The employees’ needs and concerns cannot be dismissed as employees struggle to adapt to the new work changes. Ipsos Malaysia reported that 67 per cent of employees were stressed with the work changes.
Of such, 63 per cent experienced difficulties obtaining work-life balance, and 62 per cent found their home equipment inadequate to get their job done. Meanwhile, KPMG’s poll stated 64 per cent of employees have problems with WFH, of which 61 per cent experienced network issues while 10 per cent stating they were not ready with the change of technology.
Apart from WFH challenges, job security is also a concern. Ipsos Malaysia reported 74% being anxious about their job security, and EMIR Research reported such anxiety is found in an average of 82.5 per cent of Malaysians across different ethnicities.
Despite the urgency of the situation, the reality on the ground is the opposite: mental cases involving work-stress remain on the rise, with some culminating in suicide cases. As organisations and corporations are occupied in trying to survive, some put aside the mental health concerns of their employees.
Hence it is time for employers to take the initiative to assist their employees. If necessary, references could be made on the International Labour Organisation (ILO) series of Covid-19 responses and policies recommendations concerning mental health. On a different note, being mindful of others at work, be it subordinates or co-workers, is crucial.
While screening may need some experts to conduct, observations could be done by any person. Sudden changes in behaviours or outbursts at work can signify extreme burnout out or work fatigue resulting from the stress they are experiencing.
As such, be supportive of each other. Do our own self-care and extend our concern and care for others. A little kindness goes a long way.
PROF DR IDA MADIEHA ABDUL GHANI AZMI
DR HANIZA RAIS
PROF DR NORA MAT ZIN
PROF DR MUSHERA AMBARASS KHAN
FAIZ NAQIZ AMIRUL RAMLI
SASMEC Research Project, International Islamic University Malaysia
https://www.nst.com.my/opinion/letters/2021/07/707230/adressing-employees-mental-health-concerns
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