The mandatory Return-to-office and The Gig Economy.

March 2020 | the Philippines went under a state of calamity implementing a lockdown that forced businesses, and other establishments to close down. The stay-at-home mandate was implemented and companies also made a way for their staff to work remotely. This is a BCP to some.

All of us are affected. Pertaining to the COVID-19 situation, the BCP allows the companies’ employee’s to be safe by working from home. This system works for 2 years and some companies are keeping it that way.

After approximately 2 years, the government PEZA wants companies to force their employees to return to the office. They have been “technical” about the “time-bound” which up to this point I haven’t seen the said law that government can require private entities about their working arrangements.?

Those years have been crucial, hearing news about death after death is very devastating as well. In my experience, two of our colleagues passed away. When it’s just like a week before I spoke with them via Zoom, it just feels devastating that learn that they just got promoted. I attended the wake via Zoom and I just felt sad because he was my boss and I still remember the last thing he said to me, “I will be the last person who will doubt you”. And with that statement, I proved to him, that I have proposed and coded 3 macro process improvements for our team, and it’s sad that he didn’t get the chance to witness it. The post was opened 2 weeks after for the company is looking for a replacement.

With the rising gasoline prices, transportation woes, and mass resignation, some are transitioning to the ‘The Gig Economy.’

1. Increase the WFH Days.?

Prices of gasoline go down when we are on WFH. Traffic eases as well. I remember one time the usual drive of 2 hours due to traffic I took it for only 30 minutes.

Attrition would improve as compared to what we’re experiencing right now for about 14% per month as per Sprout Solutions. (I think this is quite a conservative number I think it’s more than that.)

If this attrition right now isn't a real number, I know an organization would pay their employees an ample amount just for them to stay for at least 6 months when the company would decide to make their employees return to the office.

Real Estate is here to stay, it’s not as if those properties in the Metro are tied up to a Security that could fluctuate. In fact, most of the prices did not really go down during the pandemic.

With some of our colleagues tendering their resignations, they have found some companies that deregistered from PEZA.?

Sprout Solutions 2022 State of HR Report found that 62% of HR professionals observed an upward trend in company resignations amid the pandemic.?

Funny thing is that the one who is implementing the Return to Office inside the organization is promulgating it remotely.

A friend of mine said that the higher-ups are at home working while the staff would fill the 70% requirement.

2. Operate as a normal corporation.

Deregistering from PEZA has many viable benefits to you and your employees. Yes, incentives are helpful, but, the penalty you’ve been paying is much cheaper than paying rent, utilities, and also, on-boarding new guys in replacement to the ones who left. Under the BOI, companies are paying regular taxes, but with flexible working arrangements with their staff.

Global Workplace Analytics found that companies could save an average of $11k/yr. per half-time remote employee - a figure that would naturally increase for each full-time worker. FlexJobs found the average employee saved $4k/yr. if working remotely, factoring in lunch, commuting, and wardrobe. It's also expensive to recruit and hire new employees, especially if talent would rather quit than return to the office.

Why did Concentrix deregister with PEZA??

Here’s the statement of Concentrix’s Senior Vice President and Country Manager in an interview with CNN

"Most of our sites are with PEZA. It is becoming tough. While the government wants us back, and we are happy to operate, our staff really want to be home," Jagga explained, "This will not only create an impact on the overall competitiveness of the Philippines, but it will also create an impact on our staff:?

"Sa hirap ng buhay ngayon, lalo na may banta pa rin ng Covid at ang taas ng mga bilihin, hangga't maaari ayaw namin magkaroon ng mass resignation," Parayno added. said BIEN Treasurer Arcy Parayno.?

3. COVID is still here. Considering an employee’s well-being doesn’t stop at your staff, your employee would still go home to a family, some with an elderly. With that risk, they’d really choose to work safely at home rather than working at the office with closed ventilation. I’ve seen also some policies and guidelines when it comes to contact tracing or when exposed inside the office.

With also layoffs empty threats are surfacing, one question would be, are you willing to do your staff's job?

Some may not agree with this now. But, essentially when you are the one experiencing this, you’ll be happier to share this article.

What is your take on Gas Prices going up, Transportation Woes, and Covid-19?

See also LinkedIn sentiments:

Poll:

Author:

Carlos Payumo Garcia?|?Land Lord?|?Investment Banker?|?Capital Markets Professional?|?Real Estate Salesperson?| Lead Guitarist | Husband | Baptist

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