SHAH ALAM, March 28 — Working from home (WFH) would help people reduce their daily expenses, but could affect their emotions if not managed correctly, said Persatuan Psikologi Malaysia president Assoc Prof Shazli Ezzat Ghazali.
He said WFH brings relief to many workers as they won’t have to face traffic jams and bear daily travel costs, and time previously spent on commuting could instead be refocused on themselves or their families, which positively impacts emotions and thinking.
“But not all individuals are suited to (WFH) because some face loneliness, isolation, and difficulty separating their work and personal lives.
“WFH isn’t ultimately good or bad; it depends on the individual and how they manage it,” he told Media Selangor.
Shazli added that as living costs could rise due to increased oil prices, it wouldn’t just pressure someone financially, but could also affect their mental well-being, such as making them quick to anger, fatigued, have trouble sleeping, and lose focus.
“In psychology, this is known as chronic stress, which is prolonged stress that eventually erodes one’s mental energy.
“More concerningly, this stress could affect the family to the point of conflict, tense communication, and fracturing relationships,” Shazli explained.
Yesterday, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the government would consider more flexible work arrangements such as WFH for civil servants.
He added that the approach would ensure the continuity of public service delivery and adjust work methods with current needs.
Anwar also suggested the private sector follow suit.
