KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia is going through a period called the "Great Resignation" where financial reward and personal fulfillment are among the biggest influences contributing to the state of workplace contentment.
While this year's job market valuation is still in the works, PwC Malaysia's report on "Workforce Hopes and Fears Survey (2022)" highlighted this palpable reality.
Only 59 per cent of its respondents are satisfied with their job, and 17 per cent of the remaining portion are reported to have switched to a new employer in less than a year.
In the noise of modern day pursuits, the New Straits Times team followed three unique individuals who showcased personal understanding of making ends meet, without being pressured by today's career goals.
Koh Kian Chuan, or better known as KC, is a third-generation tea merchant operating his family's tea shop in Petaling Street, Kuala Lumpur's oldest wards.
"I think the idea of being a tea merchant is to make sure my customers understand the product at hand," he said.
"The business itself has already been operating like clockwork, so my focus is to cultivate the habit of drinking tea through sharing of knowledge," he added.
The tea merchant said his grandfather had the idea to bring the community along Petaling Street together and enjoy tea when the shop was first established.
"I guess it's what you would call a cafe today. He wanted people to gather for 'yum cha' because the area is known to be the centre for all traders," he shared.
Kian Chuan is steadfast in his labour of love, pushing the business in ways that are personable, seeing that modernity has paved the way to the extinction of quaint tea merchants like his.
The 45 year-old stressed that the word "labour" often focused on the physical aspect of hard work.
"Ultimately, we work and will continue to work even in our twilight years so you have to find the kind of job that you like and love to help get you through the odds," he said.
A few doors away, we visited the last surviving stationery shop where 73-year old See Tho Lay Yoon could be found.
Having lived all her life in the busy thoroughfare of the historic street, she has been running the business for over 50 years.
"The rising cost of rental and dwindling profit led most businesses to close their doors, but we are still standing," she said.
For See Tho, managing the small business with her husband makes her happy.
"You don't earn a high income if you operate retail like us but for me, just being at the shop makes me feel good.
She said having to actively work even after retirement was not a big fuss.
"I have grown to love the simple routine that I have, I'm not looking for big rewards, just enough to get by," added See Tho.
For Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB) electrical coach maintenance mechanic Ku Faizul Izral Ku Daud, his "labour of love" is ensuring the comfort of passengers using the country's rail network.
Ku Faizul has steadily been progressing in his role at KTMB for 20 years now. He seeks fulfilment by striving to put a smile on the faces of commuters even from behind the scenes.
"When we see the passengers happy, it gives us job satisfaction. It just means the service that we give to passengers is up to the standard.
"If we see the passengers unhappy, it drives us even further to be better at providing comfort and quality of service for them."
Keeping up with the pace of technological advancement around him, Ku Faizul also challenges himself to keep himself updated.
"For me, my job is not just about the money or position.
"As long as I get to learn, grow and offer my best, I am ok, and I don't mind working at the same place until I reach retirement," he added.
Additional reporting by Husna Syamila Riduan