THE Philippines is joining the worldwide trend of urging people to work from home (WFH) wherever feasible as a “new norm” evolves.
Research by tech giant Lenovo found that most employees and businesses are adapting to WFH systems, with smart technologies having already enabled the rise of a global workforce that stays connected in a work-from-anywhere world.
“Our survey suggests that the employee experience was already changing before the coronavirus pandemic hit,” said Michael Ngan, president of Lenovo Philippines.
For instance, in the past 15 years, the number of those regularly working from home has grown 159 percent in the US and the same increase is happening in other markets.
“While our current situation is extraordinary, we are seeing a real willingness from workers to adapt and adopt flexible work arrangements. This confirms that corporate technology investments are paying off, as most people now feel productive at home and believe that the workforce will move more in this direction once the crisis has passed,” Ngan said.
The Lenovo study found that a majority of employees felt at least somewhat ready to make the shift to WFH when required.
Telecommuting
Even when the quarantine measures are soon lifted, a reduced economic activity is widely expected as a result of the public’s hesitation to engage.
A pro-work from home stance has long been pushed as a solution to traffic woes. In fact, the Telecommuting Act was signed into law to allow employees to work at home or remotely outside the workplace.
The move to telecommuting is also a welcome development to the nation’s rising gig economy which thrives on hiring employees on a flexible and freelance setup through online platforms, according to Lenovo.
The Philippines currently ranks sixth in the world and is the fastest-growing market for the gig industry, posting a 35 percent year-on-year growth in freelance earnings as reported in financial services firm Payoneer’s 2019 Global Gig-Economy Index.
With the freedom to work anywhere, flexible schedules, the opportunity to prioritize work according to personal schedules, plus the ongoing pandemic, the gig economy in the Philippines is expected to see tremendous growth this year.
“At a time when all companies need to navigate uncertainty and keep their business running, technology enables them to keep moving forward. Companies need to adjust now and ensure their employees have the video tools, technology and training required to succeed today, and in a future where more remote working may be the norm,” Ngan explained.
Worldwide, the rapid adoption of WFH policies has been made possible by the increasing sophistication and affordability of smart mobile technology, which has enabled many employees to work when away from their desk.
Changing workforce demographics play a part too, Lenovo said.
The study said millennials and Generation Z employees, who make up nearly 60 percent of the workforce today, grew up with video on demand, networked video games and video communication platforms. These digital natives are driving the development and adoption of technology for remote working and collaboration. (CSL)