Unveiling the Dynamics of Work from Home Productivity: Evaluating Employee Profiles During the COVID-19 Pandemic—A Case Study in Sabah Malaysia

This study investigates the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on employment practices, focusing on the declaration of an epidemic phase in Malaysia as of April 1, 2022. Despite the pandemic, certain employment practices, particularly Work from Home (WFH), have persisted. The Movement Control Order (MCO) has endorsed flexible work arrangements, emphasizing WFH as a crucial continuity strategy during crises. This research specifically aims to examine the association between employee profiles and WFH productivity within the COVID-19 circumstances, focusing on public sector employees in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah. Utilizing primary data collected through a structured questionnaire, the study explores how employee features such as gender, age, marital status, position, area of residence, and childcare responsibilities may influence opinions on WFH in the city of Kota Kinabalu during the pandemic. The findings underscore the potential impact of these demographic variables on WFH productivity, shedding light on the nuanced dynamics in the region. This study contributes to the existing literature on the relationship between employee profiles and WFH productivity, offering insights that may inform future research and policy considerations. The results suggest the need for governments and industries to implement tailored strategies to enhance WFH productivity, ensuring work continuity under the new norm imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic, even as it transitions from an epidemic phase to a lasting impact on the working life landscape.