June 26, 2024 - The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported results from the National Wages and Productivity Commission's Integrated Survey on Labor and Employment (ISLE) Module, which focused on productivity in establishments and workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. The survey highlights key findings related to Productivity Improvement Programs (PIPs) and Gainsharing (GS) practices in 2021.
A key takeaway from the survey is that nearly a third (27%) of establishments adopted a Work-From-Home (WFH) arrangement between June 2021 and June 2022. The Education sector had the highest proportion of WFH adoption at 63%, followed by Information and Communication at 58%, and Electricity, Gas, Steam and Air Conditioning Supply at 50%.
The survey also explores the areas within companies that most benefitted from a WFH operation. Admin and Finance topped the list at 7,239, followed by Human Resource (5,533), Sales & Marketing (3,563), and IT/Information (3,177).
While WFH arrangements offered benefits like reduced expenses on utilities and maintenance for a majority of establishments (81%), some drawbacks were also identified. These include:
- Difficulty in monitoring employee performance (reported by 60% of establishments that observed improvement in employee performance)
- Difficulty communicating with employees (40%)
- No or intermittent internet connection (29%)
An additional concern raised by the survey is that WFH may lead to longer hours of operation or work (reported by 20% of establishments).
Overall, the PSA's ISLE report provides valuable insights into how Filipino businesses adapted to the COVID-19 pandemic through WFH arrangements. The survey highlights both the potential benefits and challenges associated with WFH, offering valuable data for policymakers and business leaders moving forward.