The following #POPCreators entry was submitted by Dhoi Tercio, a licensed teacher from Dipolog City, Zamboanga del Norte who works full-time as a BPO Assistant Manager and part-time as an English and Business Communications Trainer. Submissions under POP! Creator Community appear “as is,” without any editorial intervention.
Here’s his piece titled, “Returning to face-to-face work set-up: A choice or a responsibility?”:
It was March 2020 when BPO companies here in the Philippines started embracing the work-from-home set-ups. Since then we from the BPO workforce have been given an opportunity to continue earning despite the challenges brought by this pandemic while helping to keep the country’s economy afloat at the same time. Hence, we all have developed our own work styles or techniques while working in the comfort of our homes. It is also clear that we were able to manage our time efficiently without taking the risk of getting the virus outside. Most importantly, for 2 years, we were able to spend quality time with our families and loved ones – a chance to reconnect with them.
Now here comes FIRB ordering all workers of this sector to return to their respective workplaces starting April 1, 2022. Despite the appeals made by the industry and supported by some lawmakers to at least extend for proper transition, the government instead posed a threat that non-compliance to the said order will result in revocation of the companies’ tax perks. Moreover, FIRB chair and Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III even reminded us that this WFH arrangement was only a temporary measure to help companies and their employees at the height of this pandemic.
So where do we stand here then? Obviously, this manifesto draws various reactions from us all – most do not agree while some are adaptive to it.
Personally, I’m having mixed emotions with this announcement. For almost 2 years now, from my workplace in Alabang, I was allowed by my seniors to work from home here in my province, Zamboanga del Norte. Of course, thankful as I am, I made sure that I’m keeping myself productive all the time – no absences, zero to minimal ISP and power outages, and the like. To me, these are something that should not be compromised as working from home doesn’t mean working only when we want to. But now that this announcement was posted, I am really anxious about it. I am certain that after those 2 productive years, I will have to start packing up my things again and soon say goodbye to my family as I will be going back to working in Alabang.
As much as we want to look at the two sides of the coin, it is really hard to perceive such. Surely this is a challenge to us especially now that we are bombarded with so many issues such as traffic congestion, fuel price hikes, election circumstances, and so many others
It honestly sucks to be in such a situation. I am sure that the majority of us working in this industry are having the same thoughts and sentiments. As much as we want to look at the two sides of the coin, it is really hard to perceive such. Surely this is a challenge to us especially now that we are bombarded with so many issues such as traffic congestion, fuel price hikes, election circumstances, and so many others. Indeed, this struggle is a real deal.
However, even with hopes that the government hears our pleas of extending the WFH set-ups, I am still setting my expectations and thinking of ways to do proper adjustments once again because sooner or later we really will have to face it.
Clearly, the benefits we all get from working from home are undoubtedly beyond question. But once April 1, 2022 arrives, where should we really be? Indeed a big question that only the government and/or the company can decide. But as employees, whatever the circumstances are, whether we abide by it or not, that is our choice and that is our responsibility.
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