Loyal for 22 Years, yet still earning below RM2,500? No wonder Malaysians keep job-hopping

 

IN AN era where changing jobs every few years has become the fastest route to a bigger paycheck, one Malaysian woman’s story has reignited debate over whether workplace loyalty still pays.

In a viral post on Threads, the woman revealed that she has been working at the same company since May 31, 2004, a remarkable 22-year stint in today’s highly mobile job market.

What caught netizens’ attention was not her loyalty, but her salary. Many were stunned to learn that after more than two decades with the same employer, Intan Suhaila’s income reportedly remains below RM2,500 a month.

The revelation immediately triggered questions about whether long service and loyalty are still adequately rewarded in the modern workplace.

For many younger workers, the story reinforced a lesson they have long embraced: if you want a meaningful salary increase, changing employers often delivers better results than staying put.

She still kept her first pay slip in June 2004.

 

After all, annual increments in many organisations tend to range from just a few percentage points, while a move to a new company can sometimes result in salary jumps of 20%, 30% or even higher.

As one netizen pointed out, remaining loyal to a company for decades only makes sense if the rewards keep pace with experience, skills and rising living costs.

Yet, Intan’s situation is more nuanced than a simple salary comparison.

She explained that her workplace is located only about 3.5 kilometres from her home, saving her both commuting time and transportation costs.

More importantly, her employer has provided flexibility that proved invaluable after she became a single mother in 2018.

The ability to easily request leave, adjust shifts and manage family responsibilities gave her a level of work-life balance that may be difficult to replicate elsewhere.

“It’s easy to request leave and change shifts if there is important business. That really helps me,” Intan explained.

For her, the value of flexibility, convenience and a supportive working environment appears to outweigh the lure of a potentially higher salary elsewhere.

There is also the reality faced by many older workers. The woman admitted that age has made her hesitant to venture into a new career path.

Starting over at a new company can be intimidating, especially when there is uncertainty over whether an employer would be willing to offer a significantly higher salary.

The lady shared that she found much positivity in her job even though the wage may not be competitive.

 

It is understood that throughout her 22 years of service, she has remained in the same position as a cashier.

Her story has therefore become more than just a discussion about salary.

It highlights a growing divide between two schools of thought in today’s workforce.

One side believes loyalty should be rewarded and that employees who dedicate decades to a company deserve meaningful wage progression.

The other side argues that the employment market has changed, and that workers must proactively seek better opportunities because employers are increasingly rewarding mobility rather than loyalty.

Perhaps the uncomfortable truth is that both sides have a point.

While job-hopping can accelerate income growth, factors such as flexibility, job security, workplace culture and family commitments cannot always be measured in ringgit and sen.

Still, the reaction to the woman’s story suggests that many Malaysians have reached the same conclusion: loyalty may be admirable, but it does not always pay the bills.

And that may explain why more workers today are willing to update their resumes than wait patiently for the next annual increment. — Focus Malaysia