Legal Issues of Working from Home Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic in Malaysia
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.32890/uumjls2022.13.2.7Keywords:
Working from home, flexible work, employment, remote working, legalAbstract
Flexible work arrangements are common during the COVID-19 pandemic as a result of the movement restriction and the closure of the economic sector. Among the flexibility practices is the implementation of remote working, in particular, working from home (WFH) where employees are physically working outside and remote from their organisations. The mandated WFH has changed the working scenario without confirming whether employers and employees are prepared for this new norm. However, the WFH arrangement requires legal consideration as its arrangement needed a legal predicament. The concern over WFH must be addressed on the grounds of managerial rights and boundaries besides determining the rights of employees while working remotely. From the legal viewpoint, there is a question of whether the existing labour law in Malaysia is accommodating to the WFH practice. Hence, this paper aims to examine the employment-related matters concerning WFH practice in Malaysia on employment terms like wages and leaves, matters on safety and health, social security, and confidentiality and security of information. This study applied a doctrinal approach using authoritative legal texts in solving the legal problems that arise from WFH. The analysis of legal provisions and case studies were employed to present the benefits of the employment relationship and industrial relations in the changing employment landscape and work culture linked to WFH.
References
Akin G. (2020). Work-from-home legal issues checklist. Strauss Hauer & Feld L. L.P. https://www.akingump.com/en/news-insights/ work-from-home-legal-issues-checklist.html
Asaari, M. H. A. H., & Karia, N. (2001, June 4-6). Telework concept: An Exploratory Study-Learning from the Malaysia’s Experience. The Third International Business Information Technology Conference (BITWorld2001). The American University in Cairo Publication.
Azahari Shahrom & Anor v. Associated Pan Malaysia Cement Sdn. Bhd [2010] 1 ILR 423 @ 436 (Award No. 101 of 2010)
Baruch, Y. (2000). Teleworking: Benefits and pitfalls as perceived by professionals and managers. New Technology, Work and Employment, 15(1), 34-49.
Browning and Others v. Crumlin Valley Collieries Limited [1926] 1 KB 522.
Christopher & Lee. (2020). Going Remote – Challenges employers face in work from home arrangements. Rajah & Tann Asia. https://www.christopherleeong.com/media/4009/clo_employment_ update_going_remote_v5.pdf2020
Daniel G. (2020). Legal implications of remote working – opportunity or threat? International law office. https://www.internationallawoffice.com/Newsletters/Employment Immigration/Hungary/Schoenherr/Legal-implications-of-remote-working-opportunity-or-threat
Eurofound and the International Labour Office. (2017). Working anytime, anywhere: The effects on the world of work, Publications Office of the European Union, Luxembourg, and the International Labour Office, Geneva. http://eurofound.link/ ef1658
Hashim, F. N. (2016). Privacy matters: Employee conduct in and outside the workplace. Industrial Law Reports, 4, xxix-xxxiv.
Hassan, H., & Nuruddin, A. R. (2011, October 11-12). Working from home concept for quantity surveying employment, The Quantity Surveying International Convention 2011, Penang, Malaysia. http://epsmg.jkr.gov.my/images/0/02/ QS0114_WORKING_FROM_HOME_CONCEPT_FOR_ QUANTITY_SURVEYING_EMPL.pdf
Heinz, K. (2022, February 10). Going hybrid? How to create an effective work-from-home policy. https://builtin.com/ company-culture/work-from-home-policy
International Labour Organisation. (2020). An employer’s guide on working from home in response to the outbreak of COVID-19. International Labour Organization. https://www.ilo.org/ actemp/publications/WCMS_745024/lang--en/index.htm Jabatan Kesihatan Dan Keselamatan Pekerjaan v Sri Kamusan Sdn Bhd [2013] MLJU 1549
Joo, S. T. (2020). Validity of the Ministry of Human Resources (MOHR) Directive on forced leave during the MCO period. Legal Network System, 1 (xxxv): 1-8.
Jun, W. K. (2020). A look at issues faced by employers as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and ensuing movement control order. Legal Network System, l (xxxv), 1-6.
Karia, N., & Asaari, M. H. A. H. (2006). Telework Implementation toward virtual organization in Malaysia. In KhosrowPour, M. (Ed.), Emerging Trend and Challenges in information Technology Management (pp. 784-786). Hershey USA: Idea Group Publishing. Kesatuan Kebangsaan Pekerja-pekerja Pewter dan Kraftangan Semenanjung Malaysia v. Royal Selangor International Sdn. Bhd. [2011] 4 ILJ 90. Ketua Pengarah Pertubuhan Keselamatan Sosial, Kuala Lumpur v Philip Bin Felix @ Philip Bin Sintik [2004] 5 MLJ 251
Lackey, A. (2020, June 12). Three things to consider when employees work from home. https://www.supplychainbrain.com/blogs/1-think-tank/post/31412-three-things-to-consider-when-letting-employees-work-from-home
Langbroek, P., Bos, K. V. D., Thomas, M. S., Milo, M., & Rossum, W. (2017). Methodology of legal research: Challenges and opportunities. Utretch Law Review, 13(3), 2-8. https://doi.org/10.18352/ulr.411
Mallow, M. S. (2018). Work life balance policy in Malaysia: The current position and the way forward. Malayan Law Journal, 3 (cxxxvi).
Marcellinus, A. B., & Victor, A. O. (2019). Duty of confidentiality and office administration: A moral consideration. African Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities Research, 2(1), 48-56.
Mark, J. (2020). Payment of “wages for work done: A tale of two approaches. Legal Network Series, 1 (xxvi), 1-25.
Marsh, B. A. (2021, August 12). Trashing your own trade secrets: A cautionary tale. Intellectual Property News. https://www.ohiobar. org/member-tools-benefits/practice-resources/practice-library-search/practice-library/section-newsletters/2021/trashing-your-own--trade-secrets-a-cautionary-tale/
Meenu, Mittal, M., & Kumar, J. (2020). Working from home: An analysis of employees perspective with reference to COVID-19 pandemic. International Journal of Advanced Research in Commerce, Management & Social Science, 3(3), 274-284.
Messenger, J. C. (2019). Telework in the 21st Century, an Evolutionary Perspective, ILO Future of Work series. https://doi.org/10.4337/9781789903751
Ministry of Human Resources. (2020, 4 April). Frequently asked questions (FAQ) on movement control order ministry of human resources (Volume 3). http://jtksm.mohr.gov.my/images/ novel_coronavirus/soalan_lazim/FAQ%20KSM%20Bil%20 3%20English%20version.pdf
Ministry of Human Resources. (2020). Frequently asked questions (faq’s) on movement control order, ministry of human resources. http://jtksm.mohr.gov.my/images/novel_coronavirus/soalan_ lazim/FAQ%20KSM%20English%20Version.pdf
Nelson. S. (2020). Legal challenges with a remote workforce: Same legal issues, different place, in risk & compliance matters. Navex Global. https://www.navexglobal.com/blog/article/ legal-challenges-remote-work-navex-next/ Ngeow Von Yean v. Sungei Wang Plaza Sdn. Bhd./Landmarks Holding Bhd. [2006] 5 MLJ 113 Ottoman Bank v Chakarian [1930] AC 277 (PC)
Palumbo, R. (2020). Let me go to the office! An investigation into the side effects of working from home on work-life balance. International Journal of Public Sector Management, 33, 6-7.
Quoquab, F., Seong, L. C. C., & Malik, H. A. (2013). Malaysian employees’ perception pertaining to telework. Business and Management Quarterly Review, 4(1), 63-76.
Radhi, M. N. A., & Yusof, T. A. (2020, June 13) SOCSO CEO explains how Penjana aids employers, employees. New Straits Times. https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2020/06/600154/socso-ceo-explains-how-penjana-aids-employers-employees
Reshma, P. S., Aithal, P. S., & Acharya, S. (2015). An empirical study on working from home: A popular e-business model. International Journal of Advance and Innovative Research, 2, (2).
Rupietta, K., & Beckmann, M. (2016). Working from home: What is the effect on employees’ effort? WWZ Working Paper, No. 2016/07. University of Basel, Center of Business and Economics (WWZ), Basel. https://www.econstor.eu/ bitstream/10419/162183/1/889498229.pdf
Saludin, N.A., Karia, N., & Hassan, H. (2013). Green economy: Researching working from home in building sector. Journal of Southeast Asian Research, Article ID 273189:1-9. https://doi.org/10.5171/2013.273189
Savić, D. (2020). Covid-19 and work from home: Digital transformation of the workforce. The Grey Journal, 16(2), 101-104.
Sayers, J., & Monin, N. (2005). The Global garage: Home-based business in New Zealand. Auckland. Thomson Dunmore Press.
Schoukens, P., & Barrio, A. (2017). The changing concept of work: When does typical work become a typical? European Labour Law Journal, 8(4), https://doi.org/10.1177/2031952517743871
Shamir, B., & Salomon, I. (1985). Work-at-home and the quality of working life. Academy of Management Review, 10(3), 455-464.
Sharma, L. (2012). Generation Y at workplace. Human Resource Management, 5, 74-78.
Smash Franchise Partners, LLC v. Kanda Holdings, Inc. (2020) Case No. 2020-0302, 2020 Del. Ch. LEXIS 263
Smith, K. T. (2010b). Work-life balance perspectives of marketing professionals in generation Y. Services Marketing Quarterly, 31(4), 434-447.
Teh, B. H., Soh, P. C. H., Loh, Y. L., & Hong, Y. H. (2013). Enhancing the Implementation of Telecommuting (Work from Home) in Malaysia. Asian Social Science, 9(7), 1-11.
Williamson, S., Colley, L., & Hanna-Osborne, S. (2020). Will working from home become the ‘new normal’ in the public sector? Australian Journal of Public Administration, 79(4), 601–607.
Wilson, J. (2012). Jump! How high? Are employees always obliged to follow the work orders or instructions of their employees? Legal Network Series, 1 (xivii), 1-9.
Yogarajah, A. (2020). Do your employees work from home? Legal Issues to Consider. Sprintlaw. https://sprintlaw.com.au/ working-from-home-legal-issues/
Published
Issue
Section
How to Cite
Research impact
Harvested 2026-09-07Counts differ between services because each indexes a different body of literature. None of them is the whole picture.
