Pinoy workers happier with hybrid work options

MANILA, Philippines — Hybrid work enhances  employee wellbeing and productivity in the Philippines, according to a new global study by Cisco.

Cisco’s “Employees are Ready for Hybrid Work, Are you?” study found that 92 percent of employees in the country said the ability to work from anywhere has made them happier.

The study showed that 79 percent of the employees believe that quality of work has improved, while 75 percent felt that their productivity has enhanced.

In addition, Cisco said 84 percent also felt their role can now be performed just as successfully remotely as in the office.

“The last two years have shown us 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 wellbeing to better productivity and work performance,” Cisco Philippines managing director Zaza Nicart said.

Cisco said its research examined the impact of hybrid working on five categories of wellbeing namely, emotional, financial, mental, physical, and social wellbeing.

It said time away from the office has improved work-life balance for 86 percent of employees in the Philippines.

Nearly three-quarters or 74 percent of respondents saved at least four hours per week when they worked from home, and 37 percent saved eight or more hours a week.

Nine in 10 Filipino respondents said their financial wellbeing improved, with their average savings reaching to over $6,552 a year.

Further, 74 percent believe their physical fitness has improved with remote working, while 76 said hybrid work has positively impacted their eating habits.

Majority or 93 percent indicated that remote working  has improved family relationships and 64 percent of the respondents reported strengthened relationships with friends.

The survey of 28,000 employees from 27 countries, including over 1,050 respondents from the Philippines, however, showed that only 29 percent of Filipino employees think that their company is “very prepared” for a hybrid work future.

“However, hybrid work is more than just supporting a safe office re-entry. Leaders need to rethink how to cultivate an inclusive culture,” Nicart said.

“An environment where the experience, engagement and well-being of employees are at the center, and where networking and security infrastructure is modernized and integrated to provide a seamless, secure, and inclusive employee experience,” she said.

Cisco said for employees in the Philippines, the future of work is hybrid, as 60 percent of them said they want a combination of a remote and in-office hybrid working model in the future, compared to 38 percent who prefer fully remote and three percent who want fully in-office.