Kesejahteraan Sosial

26 KOMPENDIUM REKOMENDASI POLISI KESEJAHTERAAN PSIKOLOGI PERKHIDMATAN AWAM KESEJAHTERAAN SOSIAL 6.0 CONCLUSION As more Malaysian women join and succeed in the workforce, their lives are increasingly reflected in a daily balancing act between work responsibilities and the emotional and physical demands of caregiving. National policies have made progress, yet many working mothers still face silent struggles, feeling pressurised to return to work after giving birth, struggling to find quality childcare, or managing household responsibilities with limited workplace flexibility. These are not only logistical challenges, but also emotional burdens that gradually affect well-being. The results of this study show how unresolved work-family conflict and inadequate support systems affect women’s well-being in terms of their work, family life and psychological health. This chapter not only diagnoses the problems but also offers a clear solution. Firstly, parental leave arrangements need to be extended and harmonised. Extending maternity leave to over 90 days and granting fathers at least 30 days of paid paternity leave would encourage shared responsibility at home and promote a healthier post-natal recovery. Secondly, flexible working arrangements must go beyond rigid, staggered working hours. The right to telework or compressed working hours would allow families to better adapt their work to their reality. Third, on-site childcare should be encouraged through enforceable standards and incentives, as this would reduce the daily burden on parents and encourage the retention of qualified employees. Finally, the enactment of a Malaysian Psychology Act is crucial. Recognising work-related psychological stress, burnout and emotional exhaustion as real and reimbursable is long overdue. Such a law would place psychological health at the centre of employment protection and ensure that workplaces are not only productive but also compassionate. In essence, this study is a reminder that policies need to reflect people’s lives. Behind every statistic is a woman who wants to care for her family without jeopardising her well-being, a father who wants to be more actively involved, or a professional who needs flexibility to care for an elderly parent. By focussing our policies on the individual and the psychological realities, we not only improve the work-family balance, but also create a society where people feel supported and valued and where they can thrive in every aspect of their lives.