Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) formally promotes and allows telecommuting or remote working (Bekerja Dari Rumah – BDR) as part of its employment policy through the document “Garis Panduan Bekerja Dari Rumah (BDR)”, issued by the Registrar’s Office. This guideline enables academic, management and professional staff to perform official duties from home, either for a full day or half day, with prior approval from their respective Head of Department. The policy outlines the procedures, responsibilities and monitoring mechanisms to ensure that staff working remotely continue to fulfill their duties effectively. Employees are required to record attendance through UKM’s digital platforms such as e-Warga or MyUKM, ensuring accountability and continuity of operations.

The BDR guideline ensures that staff who work remotely maintain the same employment status, salary and benefits, supporting equitable treatment for all employees. This initiative reflects UKM’s recognition of the evolving work environment and its effort to create a flexible and efficient working culture that supports productivity, work-life balance and environmental sustainability. By reducing the need for daily commuting, the remote working arrangement indirectly contributes to UKM’s low-carbon campus goals by lowering transport-related emissions and traffic congestion around the university.

However, the current policy primarily provides operational flexibility rather than a quantified sustainability target. To strengthen its impact, UKM could integrate BDR practices into its broader Sustainable Mobility Strategy, by setting measurable goals such as increasing the proportion of staff working remotely a certain number of days per week and calculating the corresponding reduction in commuting-related carbon emissions. The university may also explore implementing a condensed workweek (e.g., a four-day working week) or other hybrid work models to further minimize travel frequency and energy consumption.

Policy:

1. Eligibility for BDR: All staff members at UKM, including academic, management, professional, and support staff, can apply for BDR under specific conditions. This flexibility acknowledges diverse work responsibilities and personal needs.
2. Conditions for Approval: BDR applications must be approved by the staff member’s supervisor, considering the nature of tasks that can be effectively performed from home. The policy allows for BDR in situations such as:
   • Environmental pollution or health crises (e.g., infectious disease outbreaks).
   • Personal circumstances that necessitate working from home, like childcare needs when educational facilities are closed.
3. Work Hours and Monitoring: Staff working from home are required to adhere to established working hours and must log their attendance through the university’s digital systems. This ensures accountability and maintains operational standards.
4. Support and Resources: UKM provides guidance on the technology and resources needed for effective remote work, encouraging the use of personal or university-owned IT equipment while ensuring data security.
5. No Condensed Work Week Mentioned: While UKM supports flexible working arrangements through telecommuting, there is no explicit mention of a condensed work week in the provided documents. The focus appears to be on maintaining standard working hours while allowing for remote execution of duties.

Overall, UKM commitment to flexible working arrangements, particularly through telecommuting, demonstrates a progressive approach to workforce management, addressing both institutional needs and employee welfare. This policy helps reduce commuting stress and supports a better work-life balance for staff.

Policy Created: 2021
Policy Reviewed: 2023