A Malaysian Gen Z worker has sparked online debate after sharing a screenshot of his leave summary, showing he had fully used all 14 days of his medical leave (MC) entitlement for the year. The post, uploaded on Threads, also revealed that he had exhausted his annual leave, carry-forward leave, and family care leave, leaving only 46 days of hospitalization leave untouched.
The caption, written with a cheeky tone, read: “Gen Z present, MC is a worker’s right hahaha.” The post quickly went viral, drawing thousands of reactions, with opinions divided on whether fully using medical leave was appropriate.
Some social media users defended him, emphasizing that leave entitlements exist for workers’ well-being. “It’s his entitlement. Why are people so bothered about someone using their own leave?” one comment read. Another added, “MC is a worker’s right. As long as he’s genuinely sick, there’s no issue.”
Others questioned the ethics of taking all available MC days, suggesting it could reflect poorly on workplace commitment if not strictly due to illness. One user wrote, “Sick leave is for recovery, not to avoid work. Misusing it affects the team.” Another sarcastically remarked, “Then later ask the boss why there’s no increment,” implying a link between frequent leave and performance evaluations.
Humorous responses also circulated online, with one viral comment joking, “Still got hospitalization leave. If your office has stairs, you can try falling there.” Another quipped, “Only someone delusional would think taking all 14 MC days is an achievement. Health is wealth, bro.”
In Malaysia, medical leave is protected under the Employment Act 1955, but misuse of MC can result in disciplinary action, including written warnings, salary deductions, suspension, or even dismissal, depending on company policy. Employers are also entitled to request medical certificates and investigate suspicious claims.
The post has sparked a wider discussion on employee rights and workplace culture, particularly among younger workers, highlighting the balance between using entitled benefits and maintaining responsibility to the team.
