Hiring in the Philippines is back to pre-pandemic level, but the pandemic’s impact, which includes the emergence of remote working technology, also affects the type of jobs employers are looking for, along with the realization that compensation and benefits are critical in keeping workers amid economic uncertainties, a new report revealed.
JobStreet, Philippines’ leading employment marketplace by SEEK, released its latest “2022-2023 Outlook - Hiring, Compensation, and Benefits Report”, showing that 66 percent of companies are optimistic about the job market this first half of 2023.
For the latest report, which provides fresh insights on Philippine job market, JobStreet surveyed 438 from large, medium, to small companies in Philippines, with the majority of companies surveyed being large.
Notably, the report showed that one in two companies made up of primarily large companies with more than 160 employees reported that their hiring plan is back to the pre-pandemic levels. However, the report also highlighted that pandemic’s impact, which includes the emergence of remote working technology, also affects the type of jobs being hired.
In the Philippines, most companies surveyed had hired employees full-time, and only one in four companies laid off at least one employee for the past six months. Based on the job functions, information technology, transportation and logistics, accounting, admin & HR, and customer service are recovering in terms of hiring as favorite full-time jobs, as they were previously job functions that faced layoff.
The survey also showed that the job function most impacted by remote working technology and flexible working culture were jobs related to customer service, with most roles being hired on a part-time basis as the pandemic subsided.
In addition, JobStreet also found that small companies were more likely to increase their permanent full-time staff for the next three months including roles in Sales/Business Development, Admin & HR, and Information Technology. However, on a more significant trend, large companies are looking to increase their workforce by maintaining or improving the number of part-time staff or hours worked, signalling that most small companies are expecting an uptick in sales and demand. Only five percent are planning to reduce their dependence on part-time staff. These part-time employees work in various job functions, with Admin & HR, Information technology, and Sales / Business Development as the top three.
Despite the hiring trends from companies, especially the increasing pattern of hiring part-time employees, the JobStreet report highlighted that competition to attract talent remains high.
JobStreet also found that the organizations surveyed believe that aside from salary, factors such as compensation, benefits, and special leave are critical in attracting talent.
For example, the report said, seven out of ten companies provided performance, guaranteed, or contractual bonuses, with large companies being more likely to provide at least one type of bonus. Besides bonuses and salary increases, staff promotion remains at the top of ways to attract employees.
Birthday leave, currently only provided to 41 percent of Filipino employees, is expected to grow by 14 percent. Companies surveyed also indicated that accommodation benefits, with housing allowances and loans, are expected to grow by eight percent in the next 12 months.
“As we return to pre-pandemic conditions, the competition for talent will also increase given current global conditions. Companies need to be able to strategize on their talent attraction and retention to remain at the top of employees' minds. This includes providing compensation, benefits, and other programs that can enrich the working experience,” said Philip Gioca, Country Manager of JobStreet Philippines.
“Additionally, for Philippines, we foresee that human resource digitalization which allows HR process transformation, will make companies stay competitive. Companies should consider what the employees need and want, and be able to adapt to shifting expectations. This will be critical to attracting talent given the competitive labor market.”