EXPLORING MALAYSIAN ACADEMICS' PERCEPTION ON WORKING FROM HOME (WFH) AS A FLEXIBLE WORKING ARRANGEMENT DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC

Flexible working arrangements have gained prominence in the last decade, due to its ability to provide employees' work-life balance and less stress, which are important for productivity. Although this work-place concept has been used in other industries, many Malaysian universities continue with the conventional work-place policies, with close monitoring. With the COVID-19 pandemic, Working from Home (WFH), a common form of flexible working arrangement, has become a new normal globally, transforming the entire workplace model, irrespective of business or industry. The objective of this study was to explore the perception of Malaysian academics on working from home, with regards to work-life balance and stress. Using a qualitative approach of focus group discussion, eight academics, from both public and private universities, were interviewed online. Findings revealed that WFH helps to improve work-life balance due to reduced stress for academics in Malaysia. This outcome will be useful in policymaking, where organizations are planning to change work policies to enhance employee productivity, especially with the COVID-19 pandemic experience. As knowledge workers' mind never switches off a structured WFH policy can contribute to academics' well-being, which is also in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 3 (SDG 3).