Sunday August 19, 2012

Malaysians working too hard for the money

ACCORDING to a global survey by Regus last year, almost half of employed Malaysians worked more than eight hours a day and frequently took work home.

The survey also showed that 32% of Malaysian workers usually worked between nine and 11 hours a day. However, working long hours may indicate inefficiency, poor productivity or poor management of time.

It is common to find Malaysians who, besides their normal jobs, taking on part-time work like direct selling and giving tuition. Working for long hours daily does take a toll on the body, both physically and mentally. Because of the excessive focus on work, Malaysians do not take time to exercise, hence many are obese, as confirmed by the Health Ministry.

Furthermore, the stress from overworking can lead to early ageing and diseases.

Besides that, the increase in depression cases in hospitals could be associated with the stress from long hours of work.

Working long hours can also impact relationships, especially between spouses and between children and parents.

There is lack of communication, causing family break-ups and children being neglected, becoming indisciplined and wayward.

Malaysians should be reminded of the words of a poet, “What is life if, full of care, there is no time to stand and stare?”

What would a person who has toiled excessively his whole life to accumulate wealth at the expense of health, relationships, leisure and hobbies feel at the winter of his/her life? Could he/she get on a time machine to reverse his/her life to live differently?

It is said that people spoil their health to earn money, then spend the money to get their health back.

TAN LEE HUAN
Bukit Mertajam

News

Sunday August 19, 2012

Malaysians working too hard for the money