It is no longer a surprise that the work-from-home (WFH) arrangement has been proven to be a success for many companies that have adopted it since the pandemic. Recent data from the leading online job portal Jobstreet by SEEK shows that over a thousand job ads for remote or hybrid work have been posted in the past three months.
While most Filipinos prefer to work in a hybrid setting , some companies are concerned about potential issues like increased isolation and decreased productivity when employees work from home.
On the contrary, Jobstreet by SEEK believes that implementing a WFH or hybrid work arrangement is beneficial in increasing workplace productivity. Here are some ways this could be achieved:
Flexible work schedules lead to happy employees
One of the main benefits an employee can have with a WFH arrangement is a flexible work schedule. Companies employing a hybrid setup usually have a couple of days assigned for on-site reporting with the rest of the days reserved for employees working, rotating the number of employees to report on-site and at home. Employees may be given the freedom to choose when to work remotely and when to work in the office.
This arrangement provides employees a chance for social interaction with colleagues in the office, while also giving them the chance to be comfortable at home or be with their families. This provides a healthy balance of work and lifestyle which leads to happier employees, and happier employees means workers are encouraged to be more productive in their tasks. In the Future of Recruitment report done by Jobstreet by SEEK , work-life balance is the second deal breaker for employees when accepting job offers. Additionally, the job portal also reported in its Job Happiness Survey 2024 that employees working fully remote or hybrid have reported having more work-life balance than those working fully onsite.
“Offering WFH or hybrid work setup gives employees free rein in balancing their work and their lifestyle. When employees are less stressed, they can focus more on completing their tasks at work. This also leads to a lower turnover rate for companies, as happier employees may be more satisfied to stay in their jobs. Hence, we recommend companies to utilize flexibility for employees to their advantage,” shared Dannah Majarocon, Managing Director, Philippines, Jobstreet by SEEK.
Increasing the talent pool
Jobstreet by SEEK suggests that adopting a WFH or hybrid system can expand a company’s talent pool beyond its main offices, leading to a diverse, bigger workforce. This approach may also enhance the company’s nationwide reach and boost overall productivity.
“Many companies have offices in major cities such as Manila, Cebu, or Davao, which limits opportunities for talent coming from more rural parts of the country. This is where the WFH arrangement can actually provide a solution,” Majarocon commented. “By having a remote work arrangement, the company can expand its talent to people who would not have the opportunity to live and work near an office site. This grows a company’s talent pool, which leads to increased workplace productivity.”
Empowering and diversifying employees
Besides having an increased talent pool, a WFH arrangement also opens opportunities for people who are more likely to be unable to work in an office site.
With a more flexible setup, it can open opportunities for persons with disabilities or even single mothers who are in most need of a balanced work arrangement. Jobstreet by SEEK shares that it may help a company diversify its workforce, leading to a more inclusive and safe working environment.
“In conclusion, a WFH arrangement, whether full-time or hybrid, can help a company’s productivity level by increasing the happiness index of its employees, while also increasing the number of talent that on-site arrangements may not be able to provide. Jobstreet by SEEK continues to uphold its support for the WFH system as it opens many opportunities for all types of job seekers, which benefits both companies and individual livelihoods,” Majarocon concluded.