REPORT – PAMM’S WEBINAR ON
“Managing Challenges in The New Normal- A Guide For PAMM.”
On 24 September 2021, Persatuan Anggun Menawan Malaysia (PAMM) hosted a webinar on the timely topic of “Managing Challenges in The New Normal- A Guide For PAMM.” Our founding partner, Mr Khaw Veon Szu, the legal adviser to PAMM, was invited to his views. The forum was attended by more than 35 participants.
The Webinar started with a survey report analysis on the impact of the Covid 19 pandemic on SMEs. The survey was conducted by Veon Szu ® Law in August 2021. In a nutshell, the survey analysis painted a grim picture. During the Covid 19 Pandemic, our SMEs faced various challenges ranging from cashflow issues, sharp drop in businesses and revenues, lockdown of trade imposed by the government, and folding of business.
From the gloomy big picture, Mr Khaw moved on to explain the Employment issues brought about by the pandemic to SMEs in general and members of PAMM in particular. Amongst those issues highlighted at the presentation were mandatory vaccination, Working from Home, and safety measures at the workplace after the reopening of businesses. Mr Khaw also shared with the members of PAMM ways and means to downsize the workforce. Voluntary Separation Scheme (VSS), Mutual Separation Scheme (MSS), retrenchment and termination of employment were but four options discussed. Mr Khaw also briefly explained the dispute resolution processes and procedures at Labour Court and Industrial Court to the PAMM’s members
In the Question-and-Answer (QnA) session, the PAMM’s members voiced various employment problems, chief of which was the challenges in handling employees who refused to be vaccinated. Mr Khaw offered possible steps that can be taken by the employers confronted with such a problem. The employers were reminded not to act hastily and risked being sued for practising discrimination.
Mr Khaw ended his sharing by reiterating the rule of thumb in Human Resource management. First, there must be consultation between employers and employees on any measure to be implemented; Secondly, all stakeholders must always aim for consensus on any policy change; and proper documentation would minimise the potential disputes.