KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 30 — Employees in Malaysia and the Asia Pacific region indicate that their direct supervisors have a significant impact as a key influencer on their job satisfaction and engagement, according to the Kelly Global Workforce Index. 

According to the survey, 67 per cent of Malaysian respondents (68 per cent in Asia Pacific) indicated their direct manager or supervisor had a marked upshot on their job satisfaction and engagement, while 75 per cent (64 per cent in Asia Pacific) who switched jobs in the past year were happy in new roles.

The survey canvassed responses from more than 28,000 respondents in Asia Pacific, including 5,147 Malaysian respondents.

In a statement today, Managing Director Kelly Services Malaysia Melissa Norman said although direct managers and supervisors have a pivotal role in influencing job satisfaction and retention, many were not heeding the warnings.

“It is sometimes said that employees don’t leave companies, they leave managers. What employees are saying is that they want their managers to open up with them and better explain responsibilities and expectations,” she said, adding that these clearly suggest the need for managers to take proactive steps to address the underlying discontent.

Among other survey results for Malaysia and Asia Pacific, higher salary and benefits were the top factor that makes employees feel more committed or engaged with their job. Just over one-third (34 per cent) of Malaysian workers felt totally committed to their current employer, more than half (58 per cent) of Malaysian respondents (57 per cent in Asia Pacific) said they actively looked for better job opportunities or evaluate the external job market, even when they were happy in their job. — Bernama