New changes under the Employment Act 1955 to working hours and arrangements, which are set to come into effect on Jan 1 next year, include weekly working hours being from 48 to 45 hours, flexible working arrangements, 98 days of maternity leave and the introduction of seven days of paternity leave.
He said such a flexible leave system first arose during the pandemic when employees, upon getting a positive result in a self-test, would report to the employer for medical leave to quarantine themselves and refrain from coming to work, thereby curbing the spread of Covid-19. “The policy for employees taking honour-based sick leave may include the need to inform the supervisor and obtain approval except for emergencies,” he said, adding that the number of days in a year allowed for such leave would also need to be clearly defined.
Human resources manager Masrah Marsinda said the honour-based sick leave should be normalised, especially when an employee is down with an infectious disease like Covid-19 or influenza. Masrah also feels that such leave should be considered quarantine leave and deducted from a worker’s hospitalisation quota for the year.