Dear friends,
Today, the Regent of Johor Tunku Mahkota Johor Tunku Ismail Ibrahim announced that the State of Johor will revert to the Monday - Friday work week with effect from 1st January 2025.
Companies affected by this announcement are recommended to re-look into internal practices, especially s.59(1) of the Employment Act 1955. This section provides that in situations where employees are allowed to have more than 1 rest days, the later rest day in the week, i.e. Sunday, shall be the rest day for purposes of the Employment Act 1955.
This situation comes into play when determining rest day rates or public holiday replacements. Please see the following table for a comparison between current and future practices:
Provisions | Current (before 1 Jan 2025) | Future (post 1 Jan 2025) |
Official rest day
*applicable for payment for work done on a rest day | Weekends: Friday & Saturday Official rest day = Friday | Weekends: Sat & Sunday Official rest day = Sunday |
Replacement of public holiday
*based on common practice in the State of Johor | Friday --> Sunday
Saturday = no replacement | Sunday --> Monday
Saturday = no replacement |
As a simple guide, HR friends will have the next couple of months to consider:
HR / payroll systems and time management systems (attendance management) to be re-calibrated accordingly
A simple letter to all employees or a communication session announcing the change
Re-visiting leave approvals for any leave applied and approved for Fridays / Sundays, only for 1 Jan 2025 onwards
Updating fixed rosters
Considering arrangements for Friday prayers since Friday will soon be a working day
This announcement does not affect the current Sunday - Thursday work week arrangement in Kedah, Kelantan and Terengganu.
On a lighter note, I'm sure parents will be delighted with this announcement since you'll have the whole weekend of Sat - Sun together with school going kids. Point to note: Does this also mean more traffic jams on a Sunday evening to Johor?
Take care and let us know if you need any further assistance.
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