KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 3 — The Hybrid Workday (HWD) policy, which came into effect on Saturday, is a new work culture for the public sector, allowing civil servants to balance their careers and personal commitments without compromising service delivery.
Most civil servants interviewed welcomed the new work culture and expressed their commitment to implementing it effectively to ensure work performance remains at a high level while meeting the prescribed key performance indicators (KPIs).
In SELANGOR, National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN) Finance and Accounts Division officer Muhamad Izwan Ismail, 41, said the policy is a positive step as it allows work schedules to be organised according to the operational needs of departments without affecting service delivery.
According to him, the approach not only helps balance work demands and personal commitments, but enhances employees’ focus, productivity and efficiency with digital systems.
“Although we are given the flexibility to work outside the office, we remain disciplined and comply with all the prescribed guidelines, with the achievement of our daily KPIs continuing to serve as the primary benchmark. The difference is that tasks can be completed more flexibly through digital platforms without compromising performance,” he said.
In PUTRAJAYA, Nur Hasina Mahbub Ahmad, 28, an assistant secretary at the Communications Ministry, said the HWD policy’s flexibility would help civil servants achieve a better work-life balance, enabling them to focus more effectively on their duties.
“The flexibility offered under the HWD policy also facilitates digital work processes, while encouraging civil servants to enhance their skills in the use of digital technology and artificial intelligence (AI), in addition to strengthening a work culture based on trust and accountability,” she told Bernama.
In MELAKA, Melaka Tengah District information officer Noor Adha Hashim said the HWD policy’s flexibility is expected to boost civil servants’ motivation and productivity by allowing them to carry out their duties in their calmer, less stressful home environment.
“HWD enables civil servants to save on fuel, toll, parking and dining-out expenses, while also helping to reduce work-related stress and enhance their job satisfaction and motivation to give their best in carrying out their duties,” Noor Adha said.
In JOHOR, Nur’Aina Osman, an administrative officer at a public university, said the HWD policy could help reduce fuel costs, particularly for civil servants who live far from their workplaces.
“Besides helping to reduce fuel consumption, the policy also ensures that work processes continue to be carried out with integrity and honesty,” she said, adding that it also lets civil servants better focus on preparing working papers and presentation materials.
In PERAK, state broadcasting engineer Nurul Syarafina Shahrir said HWD is a positive step that could strengthen the government’s trust in civil servants, while also reducing commuting costs and time spent in traffic congestion.
“For example, I commute from Kuala Kangsar to Ipoh, and the arrangement allows me to save about two hours of travel time each day. I can use that time to further improve my productivity at work,” she said.
In SABAH, Awangku Hashim Pengiran Hassan, a senior lecturer at a higher learning institution, stressed that the HWD policy is not “additional leave”, but rather a trust-based arrangement.
He said management and supervisors would regularly monitor employees’ work output and performance to ensure the quality of public service delivery is maintained at an optimum level.
“We must ensure priority is given to maintaining efficient service delivery and public services in accordance with the prescribed work rotation schedule,” he said.
In SARAWAK, Simunjan district KEMAS officer Mainunah Latip, 44, said the HWD policy at her department has been tailored to its functions and service requirements to ensure service delivery is unaffected.
“So far, no challenges or issues have arisen during the implementation of the HWD policy, and service delivery to the public has continued as usual,” she said.
Under the HWD guidelines, civil servants in states observing a Saturday/Sunday weekend are required to go to the office on Mondays and Fridays, while those in Kedah, Kelantan and Terengganu with a Friday/Saturday weekend, are required to go to the office on Sundays and Thursdays.
