I posted a video on Instagram Friday night about how it’s the employer’s right and prerogative to assign panel clinics – even if it’s rigidly limited to government clinics only.
As expected, the video hit a lot of nerves. But what I didn’t expect was how much it divided the internet.
One side insisted that this poor employee should just leave the company’s since the medical benefits are so sh*tty.
The other side understood the boss’s conundrum – because nowadays it’s too easy to “buy” MCs, and that’s why some employers only trust government clinics. To be fair, I get this point too. I’ve seen clinics blacklisted before for selling MCs like pandan cakes at pasar malam.
Both sides have a point. Yes, employees do abuse the system. But yes also, medical benefits reflect how much a company care for its people.
On the boss’s conundrum, I honestly think it’s not just about not trusting private clinics. That can be solved by appointing a Third Party Administrators (TPA) to vet and manage clinic panels. I suspect it’s more about making it harder for employees to take sick leave – and saving costs along the way.
But here’s the thing.
If your employee’s are dragging themselves to work sick just to avoid the hassle, how productive do you think they’ll be? Retention isn’t just about salary – it’s about how people feel taken care of.
So to all bosses, yes protect your business. But don’t forget to protect your people too. Because at the end of the day, healthy employees build healthy companies.
Gitu.
xoxoxo, AuntyHR
