Daddy Gets His Turn

A look at paid paternal leave in Malaysia and why dads should take it.

- Zurien Onn

In Malaysia, working women are entitled to two to three months of paid maternity leave when they have a child. Those working in the government stand to benefit from 360 days of maternity leave throughout their tenure (covering up till the fifth birth), while private corporations generally offer a range from two to four months.

Considering it is not compulsory for employers in other countries, including the United States of America, to offer maternity leave to their employees, Malaysians actually have it pretty good when it comes to maternity leave.

When Daddy Duty Beckons

However, when it comes to paternity leave, we still have some catching up to do. Sweden provides at least 90 days of paternity leave for fathers – with another 390 days to be shared between the mother and father based on each couple’s discretion – while those in Slovenia get three months. In Malaysia, long periods of paternity leave are, for the most part, still unheard of.

Granted, some corporate organisations are providing staff with paternity leave, but more companies need to get on the bandwagon as a way for employees to achieve better work-life balance. As Shawn Meghan Burns, PhD, professor of psychology at California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo, wrote in Psychology Today, work-life balance is important to create a sustainable workforce where employees do not burn out and become ineffective.

“In contrast to ‘engaged’ employees who display on-the-job energy, involvement, commitment and a sense of efficacy, ‘burnt out’ employees are often exhausted (physically, mentally and emotionally), cynical (have negative attitudes about their job, office management and co-workers) and lack efficacy (do not feel like their job or effort matters),” says Dr Burns.

The Beauty Of Balance