Before I can begin, let me point out that this blog is more of an experience and some facts coming from the experts I researched and quoted (as what they say and I believe on it) on the internet. And living in the Philippines my POV (point of view) may differ where your country lives in and that is my disclaimer.
Work from home (WFH) and remote work have become increasingly popular in recent years, with the COVID-19 pandemic accelerating this trend. Both WFH and remote work offer employees the flexibility to work from any location, whether it be from home or a coffee shop, and have the potential to reduce commute times and increase work-life balance. In the Philippines, WFH and remote work have become more prevalent, with many companies offering this type of arrangement to their employees. In this article, we will explore the differences between WFH and remote work in the Philippines and how they are affecting the country’s workforce.
What is Work from Home?
Work from home (WFH) refers to the practice of working from home or any other location that is not the traditional office. WFH is typically done on a full-time or part-time basis, with employees using technology to communicate and collaborate with their colleagues. WFH can be beneficial for employees who have long commutes or who prefer to work in a quiet, distraction-free environment. It can also be a useful arrangement for parents who need to take care of their children or for individuals with disabilities or health conditions that make it difficult to work in a traditional office setting.
In the Philippines, WFH has become increasingly popular due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Many companies have implemented WFH arrangements to reduce the risk of infection among their employees and to comply with government-mandated quarantine measures. This has led to a significant shift in the way Filipinos work, with many employees now working from home for the first time.
What is Remote Work?
Remote work, on the other hand, refers to the practice of working from any location outside of the traditional office. This can include working from home, a coffee shop, a coworking space, or even while traveling. Remote work is typically done on a full-time basis and requires the use of technology to communicate and collaborate with colleagues. Remote work can be beneficial for employees who prefer a flexible work schedule or who want to travel while working.
In the Philippines, remote work has also become increasingly popular due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Many companies have implemented remote work arrangements to comply with quarantine measures and to reduce the risk of infection among their employees. Remote work has allowed many Filipinos to work from anywhere, which has been a significant change from the traditional office-based work culture.
Differences Between WFH and Remote Work
While WFH and remote work are similar in that they both allow employees to work outside of the traditional office setting, there are some key differences between the two.
Firstly, WFH is typically done on a part-time or full-time basis, whereas remote work is almost always done on a full-time basis. This means that remote workers are generally more committed to their jobs and are often more productive than WFH employees.
Secondly, WFH is typically done from a fixed location, such as an employee’s home, whereas remote work allows employees to work from anywhere. This means that remote workers have more flexibility in terms of where they work and can often choose to work in a location that is more conducive to their productivity.
Finally, WFH is often seen as a temporary arrangement, whereas remote work is a long-term commitment. This means that remote workers often have more support from their employers and are more likely to receive benefits and perks such as healthcare, paid time off, and retirement benefits.
Impact of WFH and Remote Work on the Philippine Workforce
The rise of WFH and remote work in the Philippines has had a significant impact on the country’s workforce. One of the most significant impacts has been the increase in productivity among employees. Many employees have reported that they are more productive when working from home or remotely, as they are able to work in a quiet and distraction-free environment.
Freelance are terms commonly used for a person who is self-employed and not necessarily committed to a particular employer long-term. Freelance workers are sometimes represented by a company or a temporary agency that resells freelance labor to clients; others work independently or use professional associations or websites to get work – as according to Wikipedia[link].
I also stumbled upon an article “What’s the difference? Remote, Freelance, Part-Time, Hybrid, and Flexible Job” were it explained the different kinds of work, different from what we all default on to 8 – 9 hours work.
The bottom line here, we all want to work in our own time and place. But how can we differentiate working at home and remote work? Is the meaning and its purpose enough to tell the difference?
Maybe we can, from the words itself. With a fixed place, time and date of schedule that is work from home and the remote work is the other way around.
Then what is it for the Philippines employment society? Can we apply the difference?
There’s a law in the Philippines about Work From Home called telecommuting law, or Republic Act 11165. “An employer in the private sector may offer a telecommuting program to its employees on a voluntary basis. Provided, That such terms and conditions shall not be less than the minimum labor standards set by law, and shall include compensable work hours, minimum number of work hours, overtime, rest days, and entitlement to leave benefits. In all cases, the employer shall provide the telecommuting employee with relevant written information in order to adequately apprise the individual of the terms and conditions of the telecommuting program, and the responsibilities of the employee.” The law defined its fair treatment, data protection and administration
The law was signed in December 2016 by then President RODRIGO ROA DUTERTE. Exactly 4 years before the COVID-19 pandemic, back then its IRR (Implementing Rules and Regulation) was not sufficient to define the Work From Home setup.
Until the COVID-19 pandemic, all work stopped for a few days in the manufacturing industry and indefinitely for the office. I remember when I was just 1 year working in this new company in Makati. After the National Government (Philippines) announcement of widespread lock down our department is stunned and confused about what to do next or what will happen. But business as usual, as staff of the IT Department, project tasks continued and a work from home (WFH) setup was established. Still it took how many days to get everybody to be connected in the office.
From face to face meeting to Zoom and Viber call. Email communication, well just the same as pre pandemic. It’s like all types of free communication on the internet suddenly got expensive. Google Meet was the last resort for free communication meeting’s , even though the number of participants is limited but the length of the meeting is unlimited compared today (2023).
As you noticed from my story, even when the pandemic came and the opportunity of work from home was fully offered, the mechanics and process working at home was not defined properly. There are times when and how to determine filling a leave or just working at home. Because from time to time you receive calls and chat, and when you’re online expect your messenger, Viber or even text messages to keep on notifying you of a new message. Then again part of the transition and process of these situations is inevitable.
Even today my new employer has a hybrid work schedule, where you need to report in the office more frequently rather than working at home. As my new boss says “Work from Home is a privilege not a benefit”. We read from news feeds or streaming media that the whole world’s workforce are returning to the office. And most are in denial to return to the office.
From here on can anyone define or compare the difference between work at home before and now.
For me working at home and remote work here in the Philippines doesn’t make any difference at all. Sad to say despite the current COVID-19 pandemic, employers in the Philippines are stuck in the old and past working environment. Most employees also don’t know how to differentiate working at home and remote work. For example, before the COVID-19 pandemic you commuted everyday going to your office located in Manila (Makati) but when COVID-19 hit and work from home started you opted to stay in the province (Aurora, Quezon). Sure it’s still a home in the province, but you can’t be in the office when you’re needed because you are in a remote area and going back to Manila will take half a day.
Perhaps the perspective of work from home and remote work for the common Filipino is not defined at all and vice versa for the employer. The Filipino working society only knows working in the office 8 to 9 hours a day is simply different from working from home or remote work.