Remote Working Is Here To Stay, Malaysians Lead The Curve, Say Regus' New Research

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 18 (Bernama) -- Malaysian workers lead the curve of working remotely with 53 per cent of local executives work flexibly for at least half the week compared to the global average of 48 per cent, according to the findings of "The 2013 Regus Global Economic Indicator". The research by global workplace provider, Regus' Research, which surveyed over 26,000 business managers across 90 countries, concluded that professionals who were chained to the office desk would soon be the minority. In a statement, Chief Executive Officer Mark Dixon said against the backdrop of half the world's workforce now productively enjoying flexible working, some chief executives may worry about motivating and managing staff at a distance. The survey also showed that 63 per cent of Malaysian chief executives believed it was possible to effectively manage remote workers compared to 55 per cent globally and a significant portion of businesses are bringing increasing rigour to managing their remote staff, he said. He added that flexible work experience can have a particular value for younger workers which could shape a new kind of interaction between line managers and their team members. Thirty-nine per cent of Malaysian managers felt that remote working encouraged junior employees to be more responsible while 61 per cent (compared 37 per cent globally) used specific efficiency monitoring. --BERNAMA