WORK-FROM-HOME PROPOSAL

As COVID-19 cases in Malaysia continue to rise, Prime Minister, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin on 28 May 2021 announced a total lockdown for 2 weeks from 1 to 14 June 2021 followed by announcement of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) by the Senior Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob and Health Director-General Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah on 30 May 2021.

Some of key points mentioned are that all economic and social activities are not allowed to operate with the exception of essential services and that selected sectors are allowed to operate with 60% worker capacity leading to working from home arrangement for most.

Prior to the announcement, the Health director-general has reiterated his call for all Malaysians to observe a two-week "self-lockdown" even without the formal government declaration. With this, many companies have come up with a new working schedule to ensure staff rotation between those coming to office and those working from home. On top of that, some companies in Malaysia have responded by taking initiative to close up their physical office and resort to virtual office instead.

One example, fashion designer Datuk Rizalman Ibrahim has hit the pause button on his business operations in light of the rising Covid-19 cases in Malaysia. Businesses will temporarily halt all operations, including the fulfilment of online orders. The move will go ahead despite the fact that Rizalman's companies have gotten permission from the International Trade and Industry Ministry (Miti) to operate during the movement control order.

As an employee, your company is considering the practice of continuous self-lockdown which will continue despite the end of the lockdown. This will reduce the number of employees in the physical office to the least amount possible. You are required by the management team to analyse the pros and cons of the work from home arrangements.

In doing so, you must provide the advantages and disadvantages of working from home (WFH) and flexible working arrangement (FWA). You must also analyse outcomes of data from the survey (use the questionnaire provided) that you have collected among employees of other companies to understand the feedbacks on WFH and FWA.

1. Introduction Brief introduction of your proposal

2. Advantages and Disadvantages of WFH and FWA

You are to use academic journals as references to provide information on how WFH and FWA are implemented and effecting job performance and satisfaction.

4. Suggested WFH and FWA policy and changes to the current working environment

You are to create a fictional scenario and suggest changes that will be implemented in the company.

You must use the data obtained from your survey to help make your suggestions.

5. Conclusion

Provide a brief conclusion