More than half of Malaysian employees have left their jobs because of unhealthy work environments, making the country the top in Asia Pacific for resignations due to toxicity, according to Randstad’s 2025 Workmonitor report released on 15 April.
The report, compiled by the world’s largest talent agency, highlights how today’s workers are placing increasing importance on workplace culture and a healthy balance between their professional and personal lives.
Photo via Flex Jobs
Rather than being a minor annoyance, toxic work culture is emerging as a major reason people are quitting. Almost half of those surveyed (48%) said they would turn down a job offer if the company had a poor reputation for workplace culture. This attitude is particularly pronounced among younger workers (Gen Z at 59%) and Gen X (50%).
Issues with management also play a significant role. Half of respondents said they would consider resigning if they had a poor relationship with their manager. Baby Boomers, often thought to be more tolerant, were actually the most likely to leave over bad leadership—with 66% saying they’d quit.
A sense of belonging and meaningful connections also proved vital. Sixty-one percent said they’d leave if they didn’t feel like they belonged, and 16% — particularly Gen Z (28%) — said a lack of genuine friendships at work was enough to make them walk.
Yet, the opposite is also true: 93% of Malaysians said they perform better when they feel a sense of community at work, and 91% noted that knowing their colleagues personally boosts their performance.
Interestingly, one in three Malaysian workers (33%) said they would accept lower pay if it meant having strong friendships at work. This sentiment was even more common among Baby Boomers (44%) and Gen Z (37%).
Despite the value of in-person interactions, strict return-to-office policies may be doing more harm than good. The survey revealed that 43% of Malaysians would resign if required to spend more time in the office—rising to 47% among Millennials and Gen Z.
This signals a need for balance: while face-to-face engagement builds camaraderie, rigid attendance policies without clear purpose or flexibility may drive employees away.
In the end, the message is clear — Malaysian workers are no longer driven purely by paycheques and promotions. They’re seeking trust, inclusion, and connection. Employers who fail to meet these expectations risk losing their best talent.
