Malaysian Employees Trust Their Managers, but Half May Change Jobs in the Next Six Months: ManpowerGroup's Global Talent Barometer Malaysia ReportMALAYSIA (24 JUNE 2025) – ManpowerGroup today released its Global Talent Barometer, a robust new tool offering unparalleled insights into workforce sentiment across 19 countries. This year marks Malaysia’s debut in the Global Talent Barometer, participating for the first time in its second installment.The overall Global Talent Barometer score in Malaysia of 70% was derived from three key indices: Well-Being (69%), Job Satisfaction (61%), and Confidence (81%). The report, which gathered data from 500 workers in Malaysia between March 14 and April 11, 2025, reveals a complex landscape of employee well-being, job satisfaction, and confidence in the rapidly evolving world of work.In Malaysia, the workforce exhibits a unique perspective. Employees trust their managers (75%), feel confident in their skills and experience (90%) to perform their jobs, and 85% are confident in using the latest tech. Yet almost half of the workforce feels dissatisfied with their jobs and is likely to change jobs in the next six months.“It’s encouraging to see that employees in Malaysia feel confident in their skills, supported by the right tools and opportunities to grow. They trust their managers and find real purpose in their work. Yet, many still report job dissatisfaction, high stress levels, and even plans to explore new opportunities in the coming months,” comments Ms Shi Noon Lai, Country Manager of ManpowerGroup Malaysia. “This disconnect highlights a critical need for employers to go beyond the basics—by deepening engagement, strengthening career pathways, and fostering a more fulfilling and sustainable work environment.”KEY MALAYSIA FINDINGSWell-BeingDespite 83% of workers in Malaysia finding their work meaningful and purposeful, 1 in 2 continue to experience moderate to high daily stress.Gen Z experiences the highest daily stress levels compared to other generations (47%), despite being supported in work-life balance. While stress levels are similar between all roles, blue-collar workers (44%) and middle managers (46%) in Malaysia report the most stress.More than half (58%) of workers in Malaysia are concerned about their workload impacting work-life balance.Job SatisfactionLess than half of Gen Z (42%) and Millennials (44%) report being satisfied with their jobs—highlighting a significant gap compared to Gen X (54%) and Baby Boomers (65%).A third of managers in Malaysia are bracing for possible job loss in the coming 6 months. AI is reported as a career threat by 29% of managers in Malaysia. However, they perceive economic instability (52%), mass layoffs (37%), and restructuring (36%) as the greatest threats. While 78% of Gen X trust their manager has their best interests in mind for career development, more than half (54%) report they are likely to voluntarily leave in the next six months, indicating a potential disconnect between employees and leadership.ConfidenceEmployees feel capable in their roles, with 90% expressing confidence in their skills. However, essential front-line workers, those who are onsite without choice, as well as those in the Healthcare and Life Sciences industry, feel they lack career opportunities.One in five Gen X and Millennial workers (20%) feel they lack opportunities to reach their career goals in their current organization.Workers who are on-site without choice (76%) are the least confident in using the latest technology, while those in hybrid arrangements (90%) were the most confident.“Malaysian employers have a clear opportunity: by actively listening to their people and responding with agility, they can bridge the values gap, strengthen culture, and drive lasting trust, retention, and performance. What this report underscores is the need for a dual commitment: prioritizing both employee well-being and meaningful career growth. Achieving sustainable success will also require a deeper focus on building inclusive, purpose-driven workplaces where every level of the organization feels connected and valued.” Ms Shi Noon says. Global Workforce Snapshot: Confidence Up, But So Is StressNow at 68% overall, up 1 point from 67% last year, the Barometer reflects responses from more than 13,700 workers across 19 countries. The findings reveal a global workforce in flux:82% say their work is meaningful (up 2% from 2024)Overall confidence rose to 76% (up 2 points)Job satisfaction dropped to 62% (down 1 point), highlighting the growing divide between workers' skills and their workplace experienceOnly 65% feel secure in their jobs over the next six months (down 6 percentage points from 71%)49% report moderate to high daily stress, with middle managers reporting the highest levels (82%) followed by Gen Z (56%)The Global Talent Barometer introduces new metrics, including the Well-Being Index, Job Satisfaction Index, and Confidence Index, providing a holistic view of workforce sentiment globally. These innovative indices offer employers unprecedented tools to measure and understand employee sentiment, enabling more effective strategies for talent management and workplace improvement.To view the complete results of the June 2025 Barometer, visit: https://manpower.com.my/global-talent-barometer-malaysiaFor media queries, please contact: Mohammad Kashif, Head of Marketing & Project Solutions, ManpowerGroup Malaysia (D: +601114382855, E: [email protected])# # #ABOUT THE GLOBAL TALENT BAROMETERThe ManpowerGroup Global Talent Barometer measures worker well-being, job satisfaction, and confidence around the world. The Talent Barometer leverages independent survey best-practices and statistically significant samples to create a powerful tool to better understand what workers want globally. The research aims to improve the future of work through a deeper understanding of key drivers of workforce sentiment today. METHODOLOGYSurvey responses were collected from 13,771 workers across 19 countries from March 14 to April 11, 2025. All the data is weighted to match the worker population in each country by gender, age and region, and all countries are weighted to be equal.COUNTRIES SURVEYEDAustralia, Canada, France, Germany, India, Israel, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, The Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom (U.K.), and the United States (U.S.).FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTSThis press release contains forward-looking statements, including statements regarding labor demand in certain regions, countries and industries, economic uncertainty, and the use and impact of AI. Actual events or results may differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements, due to risk, uncertainties and assumptions. These factors include those found in the Company’s reports filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), including the information under the heading “Risk Factors” in its Annual Report on Form10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, whose information is incorporated herein by reference. ManpowerGroup disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking or other statements in this release, except as required by law.ABOUT MANPOWERGROUP MALAYSIAEstablished in 1997 in Malaysia, ManpowerGroup works with a range of manufacturing, semiconductor, transport and logistics, government, financial institutions, IT vendors and outsourcers, telecoms service providers and infrastructure, utilities and engineering services companies. In Malaysia, the ManpowerGroup suite of solutions is offered through Manpower®, and Talent Solutions. More information on ManpowerGroup Malaysia is available at: www.manpower.com.myABOUT MANPOWERGROUP ManpowerGroup® (NYSE: MAN), the leading global workforce solutions company, helps organizations transform in a fast-changing world of work by sourcing, assessing, developing, and managing the talent that enables them to win. We develop innovative solutions for hundreds of thousands of organizations every year, providing them with skilled talent while finding meaningful, sustainable employment for millions of people across a wide range of industries and skills. Our expert family of brands – Manpower, Experis, and Talent Solutions – creates substantially more value for candidates and clients across more than 75 countries and territories and has done so for more than 75 years. We are recognized consistently for our diversity – as a best place to work for Women, Inclusion, Equality, and Disability, and in 2025 ManpowerGroup was named one of the World's Most Ethical Companies for the 16th time – all confirming our position as the brand of choice for in-demand talent.