Malaysia Employee Intentions Report 2012

8/22/2019 Malaysia Employee Intentions Report 2012

1/14

Michael Page International

Malaysia, 2012

Employee

IntentionsReport


2/14

Michael Page Employee Intentions Report

2www.michaelpage.com.my

Contents

Executive Overview: Malaysian locals

Executive Overview: Malaysian expatriates

Contact

Attracting New Talent

Retaining Top Perormers

Job Market Condence

Market Outlook

Job Market CondenceMarket Outlook

4

6

8

9

1112

3

10

14


3/14



Executive Overview:

Malaysian locals

Key ndings Methodology

The white collar employment market in Malaysia is strengthening in

line with positive business conditions across the broader Asia region.

Further to this, the national Economic Transormation Program is an

initiative introduced to boost the Malaysian economy in areas including

nancial services, business services, consumer, healthcare, educationand resources. As part o this plan, the government is working towards

providing proessionals with opportunities or training and development

through Talent Corporation Malaysia. As a result o these improved

market conditions and initiatives, businesses are expanding their

headcount to secure the best talent to drive their business orward

and employees are becoming increasingly condent about their

career prospects.

Employee condence in the current job market is high, with some 67%

o respondents considering the market to be strong or very strong. As

companies continue to boost employee numbers, proessionals are

also becoming less cautious about making their next career move. O

the proessionals surveyed or this report, some 40% believe it is highly

likely they will change jobs within the next six months.

Career development is a key motivating actor or employees in Malaysia

during 2012. For 39% o respondents, being oered the opportunity to

progress in their current role is the primary reason they would choose to

remain with their employer. For a urther 46% o proessionals surveyed

or the report, career growth opportunities is also a major reason in

the decision to change jobs. Companies that oer structured career

development opportunities will be in the best position to both secure

and retain top talent.

The prospect o gaining a salary increase is another infuencing actor in

the decision to remain in a current role or move jobs. Over the next six

months, some 36% o the employees surveyed will be asking or a 6%

to 10% increase on their base salary in order to stay with their current

employer. To change jobs, respondents expect higher salary increases

o between 21% and 25%. Employers will need to oer increasingly

competitive market rates to secure the most skilled and experienced

proessionals.

Looking ahead, the vast majority o employees surveyed are condent

about the job market outlook throughout 2012. Some 68% expect the

employment conditions or their proession to improve compared to

2011. Despite predictions o a strong local job market, a considerable

number o respondents (58%) will also be looking or work outsidethe country to take advantage o the nancial benets and career

opportunities available in the broader Asia region.

The Michael Page Employee Intentions Report (Malaysian locals) is

based on the responses o an online survey distributed to nearly 2,000

white collar proessionals working in Malaysia. Participants represent

a variety o proessional occupation groups holding positions that

range rom entry level through to senior management. The scopeo the report includes key employee insights into preerences or

attraction and retention, as well as expected levels o sta attrition and

salary expectations.

Employees

confdentabout localand regionalcareerprospects


4/14




Steady economic growth in Malaysia

throughout 2011 has driven a consistent

increase in the number o employment

opportunities available or white collar

proessionals. Strong domestic jobs growth

is being driven by the continual expansion

o multinational companies into the country,

as well as the government initiatives in

place designed to nurture and up-skill local

Malaysian talent. With solid hiring intentions

set to continue across all proessional

occupational groups in 2012, job seekers

are becoming increasingly condent about

making their next career move. O the

employees surveyed or this report, some

40% say it is very likely they will change jobs

within the next six months.

Throughout 2012, recruitment activity is

likely to stabalise in the nancial services

sector as sustained economic growth in the

broader Asia market continues to positively

impact domestic business conditions.

Over the coming year, a growing number

o proessionals in support unctions like

human resources, as well as sales and

marketing are also likely to take advantage

o new opportunities in the market brought

about by company expansion.

Job seeker activity

40%

43%

17%

Very likely

Quite likely

Not likely


5/14




Almost hal o the employees surveyed or this

report (46%) rated the opportunity or career

progression as the most important actor in

their decision to change jobs. Proessionals

at all levels are looking to capitalise on career

growth opportunities as companies continue

to invest in new talent.

An increase in salary is the second most

infuential actor or respondents in their

decision to change jobs. As companies

continue to expand their headcount in line

with growing business activity, employees are

becoming more condent about changing

companies to raise their earnings. For most

respondents (30%), an increase o between

21% and 25% on base salary is required to

motivate them to leave their current job. This

level o salary expectation refects the rising

number o job opportunties in the employment

market, coupled with the increasing rate o

infation. In this environment employers will

need to pay competitive salaries to secure

the best talent.

Another key infuence in changing roles is the

opportunity to gain international experience.

The prospect o working with an international

company is particularly attractive or

proessionals wanting to increase their

employability across the Asia Pacic region

as employer demand or this experience

continues to rise. Proessionals also have the

opportunity to gain international experience

rom within the domestic job market as

government initiatives continue to support

the placement o Malaysian-based talent into

multinational companies expanding across

the country.

Job seeker expectations

What jobseekersarelookingforin theirnext role

20%

46%Scope for career progression

International opportunities

12%

Training and support 2%

The company's reputation 7%

More seniority

13%

Increase in salary

Salaryexpectationsfor jobchange

1-5% 1%

6-10% 6%

11-15% 15%

16-20% 20%

21-25% 30%

26% or above 28%


6/14




Increased levels o business activity has

caused skills shortages across the white

collar employment market in Malaysia and

the retention o key talent is becoming a

signicant challenge or many companies.

For most o the respondents surveyed

(39%), being oered career development

opportunities is the main reason they choose

to remain with their current employer. In

a competitive market, the most orward-

thinking employers will oer a structured

career development plan supported by

training to keep their best people engaged.

Financial reward or achievements was rated

as the second most infuential actor by

survey respondents in deciding to stay with

their current company. As a result, companies

will need to oer competitive market rates

to keep their top perormers rom leaving the

business. With job opportunities continuing

to rise across all sectors, proessionals are

becoming increasingly condent about

making the move to a new employer to

boost their level o income.

Preerred retention strategies

Financial reward

Career development

Motivating manager

International opportunities

What willkeepemployeesin theircurrentrole

15%

11%

39%

35%


7/14




As economic conditions remain strong across

the broader Asia region, employers will need

to review sta salary levels. Employee wage

expectations are rising in line with infation and

improving market conditions and employers

will need to oer strong nancial incentives

or the best chance o retaining their most

talented proessionals.

According to survey results, over the next

six months, some 30% o respondents

will ask their current employer or a salary

increase. Most employees are aiming or

an increase o between 6% and 10% on

their current base salary. Companies that

cannot meet these expectations will need

to oer other incentives to help retain their

top proessionals, such as training and

development opportunities.

Will request a pay rise

Will not request a pay rise

Unsure

Salarypressuresover nextsix months

30%

39%

31%

Whatemployeeswill ask forin theircurrent role

1-5% 6%

6-10% 36%

11-15% 32%16-20% 13%

21-25% 8%

26% or above 5%

Employee salary expectations


8/14



Job Market Confdence

Business condence remains positive with

the volume o job opportunities in the market

holding steady across all industries. Through

its training and development initiatives, the

Malaysian government continues to support

the placement o local talent into growing

businesses, which is urther enhancing the

career opportunities available or skilled and

experienced proessionals across the country.

With positive jobs growth predicted to

continue this year, employee condence in

the employment market is high. Some 67%

o the employees surveyed or this report

consider the current market to be strong

or very strong. As business conditions

remain positive over the next 12 months,

sta movement is predicted to increase.

Employers will need to implement attraction

and retention strategies now to secure the

talented proessionals they need to drive

uture business growth.

Current job market

Very strong

Strong

Weak

9%

58%

32%

1%

Very weak

Employeeconfidencein jobmarket


9/14



Market Outlook

Positive business activity levels across

the broader Asia region is expected to

continue to boost economic conditions

in Malaysia throughout 2012. This is

supported by the national government

program to drive domestic business

activity and uel job opportunities or

white collar proessionals across all key

industries. The vast majority o employees

surveyed or this report are condent

about the number o job opportunities or

their proession over the year. Some 75%

o respondents believe that employment

conditions in their proession will improve

or signicantly improve compared to the

current market.

Despite the strength o the domestic

employment market over the coming year,

some 58% o employees surveyed or this

report intend to look or job opportunities

outside Malaysia. For most o the employees

surveyed, Asia will be the ocus o their

job search.

Singapore is the main destination o choice,

ollowed by China. As Singapore continues

to establish itsel as a key regional business

hub, the number o employment opportunities

on oer or skilled and experienced

proessionals will increase, particularly within

multinational companies looking to expand

their operations throughout the region.

Malaysian proessionals will be looking

to take advantage o the career growth

opportunities available in Singapore, as well

as the prospect o increasing their income.

Employment conditions or 2012

It will significantly improve

It will improve

It will be worse

It will be far worse

Employeeconfidencein jobmarket2012 vs 2011

7%

68%

24%

1%

Top 5countries

job seekerswill lookfor work

Countries Rank

Singapore 1

China 2

Hong Kong 3

Indonesia 4

Thailand 5

58%

42%

Yes

No

Employeeslookingfor workoutsideMalaysiain the next12 months

67%

22%

6%

Asia

Australia/New Zealand

Europe

Middle East/Africa

Regionjobseekerswill lookfor work

5%


10/14



Executive Overview:

Malaysian expatriates

Key ndings Methodology

The majority o survey respondents are expatriate Malaysians that are

currently living and working in Singapore. Over the last 12 months,

Singapores economy has continued to strengthen, helped in part

by multinational companies establishing their regional operations in

the country. This development has increased the number o job

opportunities or white collar proessionals, with competitive market

rate salaries oered by companies looking to secure the best talent

in the region. Local Malaysian proessionals have thereore moved

to take advantage o career growth opportunities in Singapore, as

well as the prospect o increasing their income. Additionally, in the

survey responses rom local Malaysian proessionals, many identied

Singapore as a market with good employment opportunities.

For expatriates, condence in the current Malaysian job market is

strong, as is their prediction or the countrys employment outlook or

2012. With business activity in Malaysia supported by the broader Asia

region and government initiatives in place to up-skill local proessionals

to ll talent shortages, most employees are optimistic about the number

o job opportunities likely to become available over the year. O the

locally based Malaysian proessionals surveyed, condence in both the

current job market and employment conditions over the coming year is

also high, as a result o the positive business environment.

With economic and business conditions expected to improve, many

expatriates are looking to move back to Malaysia. Most o these survey

respondents are mid-level employees that have most likely met their

career goals while working overseas and will return home or amily

reasons. According to the survey ndings, these proessionals will

be looking or work across the growing sectors o nance, banking,engineering, supply chain and marketing.

The Michael Page Employee Intentions Report (Malaysian expatriates)

is based on the responses o an online survey that was distributed

to 5,600 Malaysian nationals living and working overseas. Participants

represent a variety o proessional occupation groups holding positions

that range rom entry level through to senior management. The scope

o the report includes expatriate condence in the current Malaysian

job market, their insights into the predicted employment outlook or

the country and the possibility o returning to live and work in Malaysia.

The commentary includes some insights rom the ndings o the

Employee Intentions Report (Malaysian locals), which is based on the

responses o an online survey distributed to proessionals living and

working in Malaysia.

Majority oexpatriatesconfdentaboutMalaysianjob market

Top 5countriesMalaysianexpatriatesare currently employed

Countries Rank

Singapore 1

China 2

Hong Kong 3

Australia 4

Japan 5



11/14



Job Market Confdence

The white collar employment market in

Malaysia is strengthened by positive business

conditions across the broader Asia region, as

well as the governments ocus on providing

proessionals with opportunities or training

and development through Talent Corporation

Malaysia. Overall, expatriates have a positive

opinion o the countrys job market with

almost hal o survey respondents (48%)

reporting current employment conditions to

be strong.

However, while many employees have

condence in Malaysias current job market,

there are a signicant number o expatriate

survey respondents (37%) that consider

employment conditions to be weak.

Current job market

8%

37%

48%

7%

Very strong

Strong

Weak

Very weak

Expatriateconfidencein the Malaysianjob market


12/14



Market Outlook

Positive economic conditions across

the Asia region are likely to continue to

strengthen the Malaysian economy and have

a positive impact on business activity during

2012. In addition, the governments national

Economic Transormation Program is also

expected to boost the Malaysian economy

in areas including nancial services, business

services, consumer, healthcare, education

and resources.

With improving business conditions across

Malaysia, employment opportunities are

expected to increase over the next year.

This will be supported by Talent Corporation

Malaysias ocus on up-skilling locally based

Malaysian proessionals. As a result, more

than hal o the expatriates surveyed (55%)

anticipate that the job market will improve

over the next 12 months, in comparison

to 2011.

While many expect job opportunities to

increase this year, there are also a number

o expatriate survey respondents (40%) that

predict the 2012 Malaysian job market will

not be as buoyant as it was during 2011.

This uncertainty about the strength o uture

employment conditions correlates with the

37% o expatriate respondents who believe

the current Malaysian job market is weak.

Employment conditions or 2012

4%

40%

55%

1%

It will significantly improve

It will improve

It will be worse

It will be far worse

Expatriateconfidencein Malaysianjob market

2012 vs 2011


13/14



Market Outlook

With most respondents having a positive

opinion o both the current job market and

employment outlook or Malaysia, many

expatriates are considering the prospect o

returning home to seek work. Proessionals

are becoming condent that employers in

Malaysia can oer them the opportunity to

progress their career and be awarded with

increased salary rates ater having gained

experience working overseas.

O the survey respondents planning to return

to Malaysia or work, some 48% are aged

between 30 and 39, ollowed by those aged

between 40 and 49 (38%). As mid-level

proessionals, it is likely that they have met

their career goals while working overseas.

Over hal o these employees (59%) expect

to return home in more than a years time or

amily reasons.

As the national government ocuses on

boosting business activity in nance,

resources and marketing, job opportunities

are anticipated to rise over 2012. While the

government also has initiatives in place to

up-skill local proessionals to ll positions in

these areas, Malaysians currently working

outside the country will also look or

employment opportunities in these sectors

on their return home. According to the survey

responses, the majority are planning to seek

work in accounting and nance, ollowed by

banking and nancial services.

Expatriate movement to Malaysia

7%

38% 48%

7%

29 or below

Between 30 and 39

Between 40 and 49

Between 50 and 59

Expatriatesreturningto Malaysiafor employment

Whenexpatriates

plan toreturnto Malaysia

Less than 3 months

Between 3 and 6 months

Between 6 months and 1 year

More than 1 year

Do not have plans to return

7%

5%

12%

47%29%

Top 5 areasexpatriateswill lookfor workin Malaysia

Discipline Rank

Accounting and finance 1

Banking and financial services 2

Eng ineering and manufactur ing 3

Procurement and supply chain 4

Marketing 5

Reasonsexpariateswill returnto Malaysia foremployment

Salary

International opportunity

Culture

Career progression

Company's reputation

Family

11%

12%

3%

13%

2%

59%


14/14


14

Contact

About Michael Page International

Michael Page International is a leading proessional recruitment consultancy specialising in the recruitment o permanent, contract and

temporary positions on behal o the worlds top employers.

The Group operates through 161 oces in 33 countries worldwide. First established in London in 1976, weve been bringing job seekers and

employers together or more than 30 years.

www.michaelpage.com.my

Kuala Lumpur Ofce

Level 5

Tower 2 Etiqa Twins, 11 Jalan Pinang

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia 50450

Tel +603 2302 4000

Fax +603 2302 4001

[email protected]

For more inormation or media enquiries contact

+61 2 8292 2000 or [email protected]

14

Facebook http://www.acebook.com/michaelpagemalaysia

Blog http://blog.michaelpage.asia/

LinkedIn http://www.linkedin.com/company/michael-page-malaysia

YouTube http://www.youtube.com/MichaelPageMalaysia

Get social with us

Documents

Malaysia Employee Intentions Report 2012