Employers in Malaysia urged to prioritise employee mental health

ASC chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye said the workplace directly influenced the physical, mental, economic and social well-being of workers and in turn, the health of their families, communities and society. 

He said the WHP concept is becoming increasingly relevant as more private and public organisations recognise that future success in a global marketplace could only be achieved with a healthy, qualified and motivated workforce. 

“The implementation of WHP can ensure a flexible and dynamic balance between customer expectations and organisational targets on the one hand, and employees’ skills and health needs on the other, which can assist companies and work organisations to compete in the marketplace.

“WHP is essential and it requires the combined efforts of employers, employees and government working together to improve the health and well-being of people at work,” he said in a statement.

He said employers should be responsible for implementing plans to prevent or reduce psychosocial risks, enabling their employees to play their part and help create a healthy psychosocial work environment. 

Lee added that managing stress and psychosocial risks at work would create a healthy work environment, in which workers feel valued and the workplace culture is more positive and consequently, productivity and business performance can improve. 

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He said although many factors are attributed to workers’ mental health and well-being, there is increasing evidence that the workplace environment makes a significant contribution, according to New Straits Times.