Employee benefits policy in Malaysia

Employee Benefits

December 27, 2022

Employee benefits are an essential part of the total compensation package.

This is because they provide a safety net for employees if something happens to them and their families. All companies, regardless of size or industry, should have employee benefits policies that will protect their workers from any unforeseen circumstances while also helping them succeed at work.

You might wonder, "which employee benefits are mandatory and which are optional?"

Good question! Employee benefits can include a wide range of things, from health insurance to retirement plans. The Malaysian government has mandated a list of benefits to help employees manage their finances better and improve productivity at work.

This article will cover some of the most crucial employee benefits policies you need to know as an employer in Malaysia and show you how to choose the best benefits for your workforce.

What are employee benefits?

Employee benefits packages are an important part of employee retention and attraction strategies because they allow businesses to compete for top employees. It is any non-wage compensation package your business offers to its workers.

For example, employers must contribute to Social Security (SOCSO) and Employee Insurance Security (EIS) on behalf of their employees. Employers are also required to provide unemployment benefits for employees who have been laid off from their job.

All employers based in Malaysia are required to follow the Employment Act 1955, which includes a list of mandatory benefits. On top of them, many employers also offer optional benefits to attract and retain their top performers.

Mandatory and optional employee benefits in Malaysia

What employee benefits should you offer?

When deciding which optional employee benefits give you the highest return of investment (ROI), it's recommended to think from your employees' perspective.

Instead of thinking, "which benefit suits best for my company," try asking yourself, "which benefits do my employees want?"

Shifting your perspective to your employees not only helps you offer relevant and meaningful benefits to your employees, but it also boosts their productivity and loyalty, which ultimately benefits your bottom-line.

The real question is, which employee benefits do your employees want.

Looking at current market trends can set you up in the right direction. According to Randstad Employer Brand Research 2022, the top 5 values that matter most to employees in Malaysia are:

Attractive salary and benefits (74%)
Healthy work-life balance (70%)
Strong management (64%)
Financially healthy (61%)
Pleasant work atmosphere(61%)

Attractive salary and benefits - What does it mean?

An attractive salary is quite self-explanatory. If the employee is paid accordingly above the market price, the salary becomes attractive on its own. However, not all companies can afford it. This is where attractive benefits come in.

But attractive benefits by themselves are subjective. Which benefit actually attracts your employees and talents?

Part of the answer lies in the second, fourth, and fifth place of the top 5 above. What makes benefits attractive is their ability to support the employees' work-life balance, career progression and create a pleasant work atmosphere.

Examples of attractive benefits you can offer are:

Flexible working hours and work-from-home options
Wellness benefits such as on-site fitness centre
Personal and professional training
Mentorship and coaching
Health and life insurance
Supportive manager and leaders
Medical insurance

What's next?

The Randstad survey has given you a great starting point about which benefit to offer and how to position them in meaningful ways to your employees.

But the survey doesn't reflect your employees' needs accurately. Your employees may have different needs. And the only way to find out is by asking them.

We have made it easier for you by creating a survey template that you can plug and play. Download the template here.

Final words

It's no longer enough to provide only the mandatory benefits to stay competitive in the talent marketplace. Optional benefits that support employees' lifestyle and well-being became one of the most important criteria when choosing employers and considering whether to stay or not.

Start attracting and retaining the talents you want by offering meaningful and beneficial benefits to them.

Employee Benefits