A Malaysian employee has sparked debate online after claiming that company loyalty is no longer rewarded, revealing that a junior colleague with fewer years of experience earns significantly more than he does.
In a viral post on Threads, user @aslam.masri89 said he has accumulated 15 years of working experience but currently earns RM8,500 a month. In comparison, he claimed a junior colleague with just six years of experience receives a monthly salary of RM12,000.
He recalled that when he first entered the workforce, a senior colleague advised him to remain loyal to one company, saying his dedication and experience would eventually be rewarded. However, he believes that advice no longer reflects today’s job market.
“Companies don’t pay for loyalty. They pay according to the market rate,” he wrote.
According to him, the junior employee was not necessarily more skilled or knowledgeable. Instead, the colleague had changed jobs three times within six years, reportedly securing salary increases of between 20% and 30% with each move.
The man admitted he once viewed frequent job changes as a sign of disloyalty. However, his perspective shifted after seeing companies make difficult decisions, including the retrenchment of one of his seniors after 18 years of service. He claimed the employee was informed of the retrenchment through an email sent on a Saturday night.
He advised fresh graduates and employees with two to three years of experience to seriously consider better career opportunities instead of waiting for their loyalty to be recognised.
According to him, an employee’s market value continues to increase over time, while salaries within the same company may not keep pace. He added that skills, adaptability, continuous learning and salary negotiation often play a greater role in career growth than age or years of service.
The post prompted widespread discussion online, with many Malaysians sharing similar experiences. Several users said changing employers had helped them secure significantly better salaries, while others argued that job-hopping should not be viewed as a lack of loyalty but as a way to pursue better career growth.
Some commenters, however, said salary should not be the only consideration. They noted that factors such as a positive work environment, flexible leave policies, supportive management and attractive bonuses could also make staying with the same employer worthwhile.
