3 Work Trends in the World’s Emerging Freelance Hub
- By DWFTrends editors
- June 07, 2022
The COVID-19 pandemic forced people worldwide to adapt to new ways of working. Will remote work become the new normal? Or will we see a return to traditional office settings?
According to a recent report by the World Bank, the Philippines has emerged as one of the world's leading outsourcing destinations. And it's not hard to see why. With its rich culture and diverse landscape, and well-educated and English-speaking workforce, the country is perfect for businesses looking to outsource their work. Recent reports show that the freelance economy in the Philippines is booming, with more and more people choosing to work remotely. So what are some of the key trends in this burgeoning freelancing hub? Let's take a closer look.
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Remote work is both a challenge and an opportunity to engage employees.
The 2022 survey “Going Hybrid: The Future of Work” conducted by Sprout Solutions, a local Software as a Service (SaaS) company, reveals that hybrid or remote work setups are the next preferred evolution of the workplace.
With over 8,000 employees surveyed, 91% said they wanted a hybrid or remote workplace. However, while 70% love their current remote setup, only around 43% feel engaged.
As many people and businesses adjust to remote work's ongoing changes and challenges, it makes sense to use the most advanced digital tools available. These tools help people be more productive, collaborate better with partners, and engage more with the team despite not being physically present. Thus, a collaboration between teams will be more deliberate in remote work and hybrid setups.
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Employee experience is a priority.
A company's most valuable resource is its employees—and for a good reason: engaged and inspired employees bring out the best in themselves, which leads to higher productivity and better business results.
The Philippines has seen a shift in focus on employee experience, with many employers realizing how important it is to their business. According to the 2021 survey by Willis Towers Watson, a leading global advisory, 95% of employers in the Philippines think they'll improve employee experience within the next three years. Furthermore, respondents also believe that a positive employee experience drives high engagement (89%), productivity (88%), business performance (88%), and employee wellbeing (87%).
Employers need to focus on their employee experience to succeed in the post-pandemic era. They need to develop a strategy that aligns positive employee experience with business goals and then execute it with programs, policies, and benefits.
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Digital literacy is essential.
As the world becomes increasingly connected, digital literacy has played an increasingly important role in economic development. Digital skills training can be a powerful means to improve people’s lives.
In the Philippines, 77% of Filipino consumers have become “digitally curious” or “digital explorers,” making it necessary for the human resources team to improve digital literacy through training and various literacy programs.
Digital literacy is essential because it can profoundly impact an individual's ability to participate in the economy. As more and more businesses move online and technology becomes increasingly reliant, those who lack digital skills are at a severe disadvantage.
The future of remote work in the Philippines is bright and promising, with more companies coming to the country with remote or hybrid job opportunities for employees. Analysts think keeping up with this change will be a challenge for managers. Still, it will also require them to become more open-minded and enhance inter-departmental collaboration.