Impact of Working Conditions on Employee Performance And Why You Should Care

There are a great number of factors that establish the impact of working conditions on employee performance. Some might do well in a traditional office with their colleagues. Others might prefer working from home. In the same way, one might have more productivity when offered benefits like free meals and a gym. While others might only see them as distractions. As employers, what should we do about them?

When we say working conditions, we mean the things that surround employees while performing their job in a company or an organization. These can range from the hours and time they are required to go to the office, to the location of the office itself. Or even the presence or absence of certain amenities.

A working condition can also pertain to the arrangement of a Filipino workplace. Do they work remotely or work flexibly throughout the week? Or does the company operate on a hybrid set-up where their employees can enjoy the benefits of working from home as well as at the office?

Also read: 10 Benefits For Employees Workers Actually Need Right Now

In the JobStreet Future of Recruitment 2023 study, such conditions are explored to offer employers valuable insights on what Filipino employees look for these days. Specifically, their preferred work location and preferred working hours. Below summarizes the key data that emerged from the report.

Preferred work location In the Philippines, most employees preferred a hybrid model. Meaning, they want the option to work a few days in the office. Then, the rest of the week will be spent working from home. The same is true from a Southeast Asia and global level, where more than half of the respondents agreed on a hybrid workplace as the best option.

Likewise, from a local level, employees said that they are least likely to work fully on-site. But from a Southeast Asia and global level, respondents revealed that they dislike the idea of a fully remote setup the least.

Preferred working hours Employees also see the time they work as crucial to their performance. According to the study, most Filipino employees still prefer working full-time for five days a week. Meanwhile, they shared that they like working part-time for one to two days a week the least. A few of the employees were also not very comfortable with the idea of working part-time for just three to four days a week and working multiple jobs at once.

Nearly the same results have been found in the Southeast Asia and global level. Although, the respondents in these areas slightly prefer a part-time set-up in a three- to four-day work week than managing different jobs.

Knowing what your staff preferences are in a workplace environment tends to be more essential than what you think. But let’s take a look at what its outcomes are one by one. That way, you can make the appropriate arrangements that work for both you and your manpower. 

1. It helps plan your workplace Would you invest in a really big office in a strategic (therefore, usually more expensive location) if the majority of your employees lean toward a work-from-home setup? Probably not. For this same reason, it would somewhat be a waste of resources to pay for a relatively large office when most of your staff are only working part-time.

2. It helps you attract the right talent Knowing the right working conditions for Filipinos will also help you profile jobseekers better. And by getting the right talent that matches the conditions that you offer, so you can better retain employees.

3. It affects employee performance The effects of poor working conditions on employee performance aren’t something to turn a deaf ear to. Not only will it affect how efficiently the staff gets something done, but also the effectiveness of your organization. Hence, you should work on improving them to maximize every party’s potential.

Delving deeper into the relationship between working conditions and employees, such conditions can impact the way the latter works in various ways. Specifically, on the matter of work location and working hours.

On-site versus remote Working at an office has long provided benefits for both employers and employees. Among them, the ability to manage and supervise the work processes better for the former. Then, there’s also easy access to resources for the latter. Although, some of its downsides include longer work days when you consider travel, rental, and utility costs.

On the other hand, remote work gives employers the chance to save some of the above costs and redirect them to other resources. At the same time, they help improve employee morale, satisfaction, and productivity. In the process, however, the model compromises work-life balance and some companies tend to have a harder time managing teams.

As the Future of Recruitment 2023 report revealed, employers might benefit more nowadays from providing the option of a hybrid work environment. With this model, employers can take advantage of the benefits of on-site and remote workplaces. Not just that, they are also leaving the door open to be flexible amid changing individual and organizational needs.

Part-time versus full-time Full-time jobs tend to be a more secure option for jobseekers due to the accompanying benefits part-time and freelance staff usually don’t get to enjoy. 

On the contrary, part-time work provides employees with opportunities to be adaptable to their work set-up. They can choose to multitask depending on how much time they have. And if lucky, they can sometimes even be paid the same as full-time workers. Otherwise, this type of work comes with a lower salary and irregular standing in a company. Hence, employees who long for good income and career stability tend to lose motivation easily.

Ultimately, employees prefer a full-time setup where they work five days a week. It's up to employers to offer more full-time positions where they have a reasonable amount of workload for the compensation package that they are receiving. In this case, employees not only feel secure in the company. But also feel more optimistic about their responsibilities.

In the end, the best working condition for your company will always depend on the kind of organization you’re running, from its size to location. Nonetheless, pay attention to what jobseekers are saying. This can not only significantly impact their performance at work, but the company as a whole.

Know more about the preferred working conditions of employees in an organization via PDF in the JobStreet Future of Recruitment 2023. To look for potential employees, register on JobStreet and go to Talent Search. Do you still need more tips to get started? Visit Insights now.