The Malaysian Insight

DESPITE the rising number of Covid-19 clusters at the workplace and the government’s work-from-home (WFH) order, some employees are still forced to turn up at the office for tasks they can do at home.

Concerned about exposure to the coronavirus, which is now spreading in the community, those who spoke to The Malaysian Insight said they tried appealing to their bosses but were dismissed or threatened with cuts to their allowances.

“The office is just a place for colleagues to facilitate discussions, which can be conducted virtually while we work from home,” said a public relations consultant, who only wanted to be known as Elaine.

Those interviewed, who work in offices around the Klang Valley, did not want to give their full names or disclose their workplace for fear of repercussions.

Elaine’s company has 50 employees working on a single floor, which make social distancing and adherence to the standard operating procedure difficult.

The SOP includes avoiding closed and crowded spaces, keeping a distance of 1m when conversing, besides temperature checks, use of hand sanitiser and regular disinfection of common areas.

Elaine said all staff must be present in the office from Monday to Wednesday.

Daniel, an in-house designer, said he is concerned about being made to work in the office as he lives with elderly parents. He also has children and does not want to expose them to any risk.

He admits that working in the office is more convenient as the server is there but he could still manage his tasks from home.

“We are told to be present at the office five times a week but I am extremely worried as I have my kids and my parents at home, who are considered high risk.”

Daniel’s company has more than 200 staff members on site on a daily basis, spread out over two floors.

“The number of people makes it very crowded and hard to maintain social distancing.

“Even when one of my colleagues tested positive, the management only told those in close contact with the person to stay at home, while requiring the rest to come to the office.”

The company did not pay for staff who want to take a Covid-19 test.

The government’s rules on WFH apply to companies not listed as essential services throughout the movement-control order (MCO).

Essential sectors are manufacturing, construction, services, trading and distribution, plantation and commodities.

Other WFH rules include allowing only 30% of staff at management level in the office, while the number of staff at support and services level required in the office is to be determined by employers.

Staff who have tried appealing with their employers have been told that their allowances will be cut. Bosses don’t really listen, they said, and just repeat instructions to come to the office.

Customer service executive Melissa Asha said she was told her allowance would be cut if she did not comply.

“Although I am scared to go to office due to the spike in Covid-19 cases, I have no choice and at the end of the day, I need money to survive.

“Staff have raised the matter with management but it turned into a blame game with management saying that the client wants all staff to be present at the office,” said Melissa.

Elaine said her colleagues are starting to take things for granted by assuming that everyone who comes to work is healthy.

“In the office, most of my colleagues tend to not wear masks because they have the perception that ‘everyone’s safe, everyone’s healthy’,” she said.

“Recently one of my colleagues was infected with the virus and this scares me more to go to the office.

“Honestly, I don’t feel comfortable working in the office, because I commute to work everyday and have to get my lunch from the mall, which is a minute’s walk away,” added Elaine whose office is near Mid-Valley Megamall.

The high-touch points in the office are not properly sanitised and that fingerprints on glass doors can be seen, she said.

“It’s disgusting, especially when everyone is talking about how cleanliness is important to combat Covid-19.”

On Wednesday, a record number of 17 new clusters were reported in a single day. Of the total, 15 are workplace related.

The 15 clusters also accounted for 1,076 cases, or 95% of the overall 1,130 cases from all the new clusters.

While most workplace clusters so far have been construction sites, factories and hostels, other workplaces like supermarkets, training institutes, administrative centres and a matriculation college have emerged as clusters in recent days.

Human Resources Minister M. Saravanan said previously that employers must not cut wages or force workers to take annual leave if they are working from home. – January 29, 2021.