As the Philippines continues to recover from the pandemic, a survey conducted by Sprout Solutions in 2022 shows that more companies have shifted from remote to on-site work arrangements. Of the more than 2,200 respondents in various industries and companies in the Philippines, about 51% have started physically reporting back to work compared to only 35% in 2021.
Are Filipino employees happy with this?
A study conducted by SEEK Asia in 2023 showed that the majority of Filipino workers still prefer either a hybrid or fully remote work setup over on-site work arrangements. The study, which surveyed 97,324 respondents across six Southeast Asian countries including the Philippines, found that 46% of Filipinos are more interested in having a hybrid setup, 28% preferred fully remote, and only 26% are happy with physically reporting back to their respective offices.
Here are three reasons why a majority of Filipino employees prefer a work-from-home or hybrid work setup.
Less travel time
Manila is part of the top 10 cities with the worst traffic in the world, according to the 2022 TomTom Trafï¬c Index. On average, it took 27 minutes for Filipinos to travel 10 kilometers in Metro Manila last year.
Working from home eases Filipinos from this burden since they only need a computer and internet connection to work.
Remote work increases productivity
According to a global survey by ConnectSolution, 77% of those who work remotely show increased productivity, with 30% doing more work in less time and 24% doing more work in the same period. This could be due to reduced commute times, fewer in-person distractions, or the freedom to design a work environment that best suits their needs.
Working from home improves work-life balance
A study conducted by Jobstreet in 2023 shows at least 73% of Filipino jobseekers surveyed want a stable job with a work-life balance. This was higher than the global average of 69%. The study also found that 56% of remote work employees report improved mental health due to improved work-life balance and flexibility.
While it’s true that the global pandemic came with many challenges, it has also opened multiple opportunities for businesses to make more accessible and inclusive workspaces.
Companies should take this opportunity to ask for input from their teams on their preferred work arrangements so that their employees feel they are listened to, supported, and provided the right conditions to thrive both personally and professionally.
