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Majority of Filipino workers happier with hybrid work options —study


Majority of Filipino employees are happier when they are given hybrid work options but less than 30% of companies are very prepared for this, according to a recent study conducted by global technology firm Cisco.

The latest study indicated that 59.6% of local employees want a hybrid work arrangement, with 96.6% of employers supportive, and 59.6% saying they are very supportive.

It found that 89.2% of employees believe their overall well-being improved with hybrid working, with 92.2% of respondents saying they are happier.

The key drivers for improvement of their overall well-being include more flexible work schedules, and the reduced commuting time given by remote work options.

Some 68.1% said hybrid work options have improved their physical well-being, with the majority saying they eat healthier (76.3%), exercise more (71.1%), and are physically fitter (74.2%).

Majority of the respondents also said there were improvements, with 78.7% citing better quality of work, 75.4% citing better productivity, 81.6% citing better job knowledge and skills, and 69.6% citing better workplace relations and attitude.

“The last two years have shown that work is no longer where we go, but what we do. In a hybrid normal, employees and employers in Philippines are experiencing tangible benefits from improved employee well-being to better productivity and work performance,” Cisco Philippines managing director Zaza Nicart said in an emailed statement.

A number of local firms started to implement remote work options during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, when restrictions were put in place to prevent full capacity in operations.

Under a hybrid work arrangement, some 74% of respondents said they saved at least four hours per week working from home, while 37% said they saved eight or more hours a week.

Nine in 10 respondents say their financial well-being also improved, with savings breaching $6,552 or P344,046 yearly.

A significant majority or 90% said savings on fuel and commuting were among their top areas for savings, followed by lower spending on food and entertainment with 76%.

The same study showed, however, that 71% of respondents believe that micromanaging behaviors also increased with hybrid and remote working options.

“Our latest research indicates that more needs to be done to fully integrate hybrid work arrangements for employees, especially when it comes to building an inclusive culture powered by efficient technology infrastructure in this new world or working that employees clearly prefer,” said Cisco senior director Anupam Trehan.

“Leaders and companies need to commit to actions that go a long way to retain their people — listening, building trust, and leading with empathy, flexibility, and fairness,” Trehan added.

Only 29.1% of employees believe their employer is “very prepared” for hybrid working, with 67% saying they believe remote workers will have challenges with the company, and 71.1% saying they will have challenges with their colleagues.

Metro Manila and several areas remain under Alert Level 1 — the loosest form of COVID-19 restrictions — until the end of May.

The Alert Level 1 allows intrazonal and interzonal travel regardless of age and comorbidities, and all establishments, persons, or activities to operate, work at full on-site capacity subject to minimum public health standards.—AOL, GMA News