How many working days in a year?

Whether you're a hardworking professional, a business owner, or planning a special project, understanding the number of days in your work year is essential to effective project management, seamless scheduling, and prudent budgeting. We explain how to calculate the total number of working days in Malaysia. We'll consider public holidays, special non-working days, and weekends. Let's explore why knowing this is vital and how it affects your daily work routine. Here's what we'll cover:

• How many working days in a year?
• How to calculate the number of working days in a year
• Factors to consider for working days in a year
• Importance of knowing the number of working days in a year
• Conclusion
• FAQs 

How many working days in a year? 

In Malaysia, the standard work week typically includes five working days, from Monday to Friday. But the actual number of working days in a year can vary due to several factors, including holidays and special non-working days.  

How to calculate the number of working days in a year 

Here's a general formula for calculating the number of days in your work year: 

Number of working days = Total days in a year − Number of weekly rest days − Number of public holidays − Number of special non-working days

• Total days in a year: In a calendar year, there are 365 days. A leap year has 366 days.
• Number of weekly rest days: Typically, there are two weekly rest days – Saturday and Sunday. There are 52 weeks in a year, so subtract 2 × 52 from the total days in the year.
• Number of public holidays: Malaysia observes several annual public holidays. The number can vary, so subtract the total number of public holidays for the current year.
• Number of special non-working days: Under some circumstances, the authorities may declare specific days as special non-working days. Subtract the total number of these days. 

For example, in a standard year (365 days), with 52 Saturdays and 52 Sundays as weekly rest days and 11 public holidays, the calculation would be: 

Number of working days = 365 − (2 × 52) − 11 = 250 

This formula gives the total number of working days, excluding weekly rest days and public holidays. Remember that the number of working days can vary depending on public holidays and special non-working days the country observes in a given year. It's essential to consider the official holiday calendar for the specific year in question to get an accurate count. 

Factors to consider for working days in a year 

There are several considerations when calculating the number of working days in a year in Malaysia. These can vary depending on the state and company policies. Here are some key factors to consider: 

Days off 

Days off include weekends and designated rest days. In Malaysia, weekends (Saturday and Sunday) are usually non-working days for office-based jobs. Some industries or organisations may have different work schedules, such as working half a day on Saturdays.  

Holidays 

Public holidays are official days that the government recognises. Full-time employees typically take these days off work. These holidays may differ from one state to another. Employers aren't required to observe state-level holidays except for those the federal government has gazetted as official public holidays.  

Different work schedules 

Some companies or industries have unique work schedules that deviate from the traditional format of working eight hours a day from Monday to Friday, in a nine-to-five format. For example, shift workers in healthcare or customer service roles may have a rotating work schedule or specific days off in a week. 

Paid time off 

In addition to holidays, employers are required to grant employees a minimum amount of paid time off (PTO). Paid days might include vacation, sick, and personal days or other leave entitlements. Employers can include these as non-working days. 

Malaysia's Employment Act states that employees are allowed to take up to eight days of annual leave if they've been working for the same company for one to two years, 12 days if employed for two to five years, or 16 days if employed for more than five years. Sick leave entitlement ranges from 14 to 22 days per year, depending on the length of service. 

Another formula for computing your number of working days 

You can also subtract your non-working days from the total number of days in a year to calculate the number of working days. To do this, you need the formula below: 

Working days = Total number of days − (Days off + Holidays + PTO) 

It's important to consider that company policies and local regulations may vary and impact the number of days you work. This is when you need to understand specific factors regarding days off, public holidays, and special non-working holidays. It's also important to take note of company holidays that the government and individual organisations specify for an accurate calculation. Some holidays fall on the weekend, which can affect your work week. 

According to the Holidays Act, all employees in Malaysia are entitled to 11 gazetted public holidays, five of which are compulsory and six are elective. The five compulsory holidays are National Day, Labour Day, Malaysia Day, Birthday of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, and Birthday of the Ruler of the State or Federal Territory Day. Employers can pick the other six holidays from a list that includes Hari Raya Aidilfitri, Hari Raya Haji, Chinese New Year, Deepavali, and Christmas Day. Employers must provide their employees with a list of 11 gazetted public holidays before the beginning of each calendar year. 

Importance of knowing the number of working days in a year 

Here are some reasons why it's important to know how many days you work in a year:

• Knowing how much you get paid: Knowing how many working hours a year helps determine how much money you earn each month. This can help you plan your budget and decide how much to save or spend.
• Understanding job expectations: Knowing how many days you work in a year can help you understand what your employer expects of you. This can help you decide if the job fits you well.
• Allocating your time: Knowing how many work days there are in a year can help you plan your time. You can use this information to plan vacations, time with family and friends, and other activities.
• Being more productive: Knowing how many work hours and days in a year can help improve your productivity. You can use this information to plan your average work hours and set realistic goals.
• Planning your career: Knowing how many days you work a year can help you plan your career. You can use this information to decide if you want to pursue additional education or training or use it to look for new job opportunities. 

Conclusion 

As more and more Malaysian employees are experiencing burnout, it's essential to properly pace yourself at work. Knowing the number of working days a year can help you understand your job's expectations and pay, plan your work-life balance, create effective work strategies, and progress your career. Knowing the number of days you work allows you to make informed decisions, manage your time effectively, and achieve a healthy work-life balance between your personal and professional lives. 

FAQs 

Here are answers to some common questions about the topic: 

1. How many working days are in a year minus holidays? 
   ⁠Malaysian employees are entitled to 11 paid public holidays each year. Considering that there are 366 days and 104 weekend days in 2024, the number of working days is 251 at most. This figure doesn't include state-level holidays. 
2. How many five-day work days are in a year? 
   ⁠A year has 52 weeks. If you count weekdays (Monday to Friday), there are usually 260 five-day workdays a year. But you should also consider holidays and your company's policies. 
3. How can I calculate the number of weekdays in a specific date range? 
   ⁠First, you need to know the start and end dates of the period. Then, you subtract weekends and holidays from the total number of days to find the number of weekdays. 
4. How many workdays in a month on average? 
   ⁠The number can vary depending on your employer. Generally, a month has 20 to 22 working days, not including weekends. But you should also consider holidays and your company's policies.