TECHNOLOGY company Cisco Systems, Inc. said its research has indicated a 92% preference for hybrid work in the Philippines, saying that technology has established itself as an enabler of alternative work configurations, though it called for such arrangements to be supported by “end-to-end security.”
“Ninety-two percent of Filipino respondents are happier working from anywhere,” Cisco said in a statement, the results of a survey it conducted.
“Technology is a key enabler of growth in the hybrid workplace, and it needs to be underpinned by end-to-end integrated security. Organizations should prioritize a robust security posture that underpins every digitalization effort and ensure that cybersecurity is at the core of their technology architecture,” it added.
The company surveyed 28,000 employees in 27 countries, which included more than 1,050 respondents from the Philippines. Seventy-nine percent of Filipino respondents reported that they saw an improvement in the quality of their work in a hybrid work arrangement.
Also, 75% of the respondents from the Philippines believed that their productivity was enhanced, while 84% said their role can now be performed “just as successfully remotely as in the office.”
However, only 29% of them said their organizations are “very prepared” for hybrid work arrangements.
Most of the Filipino respondents said that companies should seriously consider fully adopting the hybrid setup, which they said has helped improve their overall wellbeing.
Cisco noted that nine in 10 of the Filipino respondents said their financial wellbeing improved, “with their average savings reaching over $6,552 (P344,046) a year.”
“A sizeable 90% ranked savings on fuel and/or commuting among their top three areas for savings, followed by decreased spending on food and entertainment at 76%,” the company added.
Cisco Philippines Managing Director Zaza S. Nicart said hybrid work is more than just a policy to facilitate a safe return to the office.
“Leaders need to rethink how to cultivate an inclusive culture. An environment where the experience, engagement and well-being of employees are at the centre, and where networking and security infrastructure is modernized and integrated to provide a seamless, secure, and inclusive employee experience,” she noted.
Cisco Senior Director for People & Communities Anupam Trehan said: “Trust has become a core tenet in our hybrid work normal, alongside flexibility, and empathetic leadership.”
“Our latest research indicates that more needs to be done to fully integrate hybrid work arrangements for employees, especially when it comes to building an inclusive culture powered by efficient technology infrastructure in this new world of working that employees clearly prefer. Leaders and companies need to commit to actions that go a long way to retain their people — listening, building trust, and leading with empathy, flexibility, and fairness.” — Arjay L. Balinbin