Filipino employees want hybrid work arrangement

Majority or 80 percent of Filipinos preferred jobs that have implemented either a remote or hybrid work mode, results of JobStreet’s Global Talent Survey showed in a report by Manila Bulletin.

“The future of work has begun, and it is here to stay for good—this is a call for hirers and jobseekers to reinvent their approach towards recruitment and work,” said the leading online job portal JobStreet by SEEK..

The study also predicted that the number of full-time employees working from home will comprise 34 percent of the workforce by 2023 due to the spike caused by the COVID-19 pandemic compared to the 3 percent in 2017.

However, a disconnect between recruiters and jobseekers is emerging according to JobStreet Philippines Country Manager Philip Gioca. The study showed that only one out of every five companies was able to implement work-from-home (WFH) amid the pandemic due to resources and policy restrictions.

“The implications brought by the pandemic are here to stay, and only future-ready companies can continue succeeding. These are companies that operate with speed and simplicity and grow based on their ability to learn, innovate, and find good ideas wherever they may be found,” said Gioca.

Based on the latest JobStreet data, location-based demand is still prevalent outside Metro Manila, with Pampanga having the largest growth rate of 86 percent and Customer Service and BPOs contributing the largest portion of this demand. Pampanga was followed by Davao Del Sur with a 55 percent growth rate and Bukidnon with a 52 percent growth rate compared to JobStreet’s 2020 data.

The job platform also shared that e-commerce continues to be a stable and high-demand industry, with manufacturing having a growth rate of 47 percent, retail or general sales having 46 percent and merchandising having 45 percent compared to JobStreet’s 2020 data. Jobseekers have noticed this surge in demand and have consequently been drawn towards more e-commerce roles.

“It is clear that we have to adapt to the changes that the COVID-19 pandemic has caused in the job market and the standards and expectations set in a workplace. This journey may be difficult for some, but JobStreet by SEEK remains committed as your hiring and career partner in revolutionizing your role as we move forward together towards the future of work,” said Gioca.

The online job portal has recommended practices that employers can implement to start adapting to the future of work. First, employers need to find a balance between governance and flexibility by setting

expectations with employees while also allowing them some flexibility. Gioca recommended incentivizing onsite work through benefits such as health protection, transportation, or leave days so that employees don’t feel disadvantaged.

Gioca also suggested empowering employees by providing them with the tools they need to do their jobs well. Employers can provide new computers or laptops, cellphones and allowances for internet connection, upgrades in programs and software that are heavily being used like Zoom, as well as policies and guidelines to manage these when necessary.

Employers should also monitor the progress of these changes through feedback surveys or employee interviews to see how much of a positive change these are creating. After getting the results, any changes should be pilot tested on a small sample before applying to the rest of the employees.

“By taking these extra steps, employers are showing their employees that they respect their insights and that they are working to improve the company for their benefit. Not only will this lead to employees’ job satisfaction and productivity, but it also strengthens the relationship between employers and employees,” shared Gioca.

While hirers might still have a long way to go, JobStreet by SEEK notes that job seekers also play a crucial role in making the labor market thrive in a future-ready workplace.

Gioca advised jobseekers to practice and prepare for working in a hybrid work environment, especially when this type of work setup is most likely here to stay. Jobseekers can do this by taking the time during their job search to prepare for this kind of setup, as well as understand how prospective companies apply this in their work environments.

Candidates are also recommended to work on mastering digital collaboration tools and processes. With work environments slowly transitioning to hybrid or remote models, companies will naturally adopt more of these tools and platforms to streamline work regardless of employees’ location. Jobseekers can give themselves an advantage by already familiarizing themselves with platforms such as Trello, Google Workspace, Basecamp, Notion and more, which are commonly used to help with scheduling, accountability, and file management between employees.

Furthermore, Gioca also encouraged employees to develop skills that can help them be more flexible and minimize any skill gaps by upskilling. Not only does upskilling increase job seekers’ chances of successfully landing a job, but it also helps them adapt to the changing demands across industries.

“With more companies trying to future-proof their workplaces, jobseekers can also do the same by taking the time to understand the work environments of the companies they’re applying for and investing in soft skills and practices that are in-demand in any job,” said Gioca.