59% Of Malaysians Quit Jobs Due To Toxic Managers — The Highest In Asia Pacific
Additionally, 43% of Malaysians would quit if forced to spend more time in the office.
Cover image via A staggering 59% of employees in Malaysia have resigned due to toxic workplace environments, the highest in the Asia Pacific region, according to Randstad's latest 2025 Workmonitor report
Released on 15 April, the report by the world's largest talent agency sheds light on shifting employee expectations, with a strong emphasis on work-life balance and workplace culture.
The findings stress that toxic work environments aren't just morale killers; they're a major driver of high turnover. Nearly half of Malaysian respondents (48%) said they would reject a job offer from a company known for its poor workplace culture. This sentiment is strongest among Gen Z (59%) and Gen X (50%).
People leave managers, not just companies
Half of the respondents said they would consider resigning if they did not get along with their manager, with Baby Boomers (66%) — surprisingly — the most likely to walk away from bad leadership.
Similarly, 61% of workers said they would leave their jobs if they felt a lack of belonging, while 16% — especially Gen Z (28%) — cited the absence of genuine friendships at work as a reason for quitting.
On the flip side, 93% said they perform better when they feel a sense of community, and 91% said knowing their colleagues personally improves performance.
A third (33%) of Malaysian workers even said they would accept lower salaries if they had good friends at work — with Gen Z (37%) and Baby Boomers (44%) most willing to trade pay for camaraderie.
Image via SAYS
While in-person work helps build social connections, rigid return-to-office mandates risk backfiring
The survey found that 43% of Malaysians would quit if forced to spend more time in the office, with that number climbing to 47% among Gen Z and Millennials.
This points to a critical disconnect: while physical presence fosters community, return-to-office policies must be flexible and purpose-driven. Simply mandating attendance, without consideration for employee preferences, may erode engagement and morale.
Ultimately, the report reinforces that employee experience is no longer just about compensation or job titles. From trust and belonging to friendship and flexible work — these intangible factors are shaping where Malaysians choose to work, and for how long.
Image via Randstad
