Long Distance Job's Impact on Individual Work Performance

Abstract

Nowadays, employees often have to endure long commutes to reach their workplaces. The reasons behind this trend are diverse. In situations where job opportunities are scarce, workers are more willing to travel long distances to maintain their employment, whereas in a competitive job market, employees are more selective about their commuting preferences. Commuting by motorcycle or car can be as stressful as being stuck in traffic for a long time. It can raise the anxiety levels of commuters. Those who rely on public transport to commute are more likely to experience physical and mental health issues, which can affect their work performance. Due to the high cost of living, many employees are willing to commute long distances for higher wages. The study aims to examine the impact of prolonged travel hours on work performance over time. This research study employs a deductive approach to test an established theory. The study focuses on employees who commute long distances to work. This study employs non-probability and convenience sampling as the technique. Around 450 Malaysian respondents were sent the questionnaires through various digital platforms, such as e-mail, WhatsApp, Instagram, and Facebook. The findings showed that hypothesis 1 is accepted with a p-value of <0.01 and that limited job opportunities have a significant relationship with individual work performance among Malaysian workers, but two more hypotheses were rejected. Hypothesis 2 was rejected with a p-value of 0.899, followed by Hypothesis 3, which was also rejected with a p-value of 0.618 due to rising prices for goods and services that can negatively impact household well-being and increase the cost of living. The study provides empirical and conceptual evidence to support the government's initiative on the conceptual framework of long-distance job literacy and individual work performance. It recommends reviewing the existing MBO policy and legal framework to cater to the needs of employees in both established and emerging nations towards long-distance working methods.