Philippines is 2nd country with worst work-life balance—report
The Philippines has earned a spot among countries that have the worst work-life balance, according to a new report from global human resources platform Remote.
Based on data they analyzed from the top 60 gross domestic product countries across the globe, the Philippines is ranked 59th in terms of having a good work-life balance, having a score of 27.46 out of 100.
Remote gave this score after analyzing the country across a combination of important workplace factors such as statutory annual leave, paid maternity leave, and average hours worked per employee.
Other factors that were examined include minimum wage, healthcare system, happiness index, LGBTQ+ inclusivity, and the Global Peace Index Ranking.
With the ranking, the Philippines is just one spot away from being named as the country with the worst work-life balance. It was only succeeded by Nigeria at the 60th spot, with a score of 16.15 out of 100.
After the Philippines are Ethiopia, Iraq, Turkey, the United States, Bangladesh, Egypt, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates, respectively.
Meanwhile, New Zealand received the distinction as the country with the best work-life balance, earning a score of 80.76 out of 100. Remote described its working culture as "laid-back," but that it is "equally characterized by its 'can-do' Kiwi attitude and emphasis on open communication and self-reliance."
"The country also boasts some of the world’s most stunning scenery (an obvious draw for anyone planning to relocate), but it also offers a high minimum wage along with a generous annual leave entitlement of 32 days," the platform stated.
"Additionally, New Zealand scores well on the 'happiness index' and is considered one of the safest countries to live and work," they added.
On the heels of New Zealand are Ireland, Belgium, Denmark, Canada, Germany, Finland, Australia, Norway, and Spain.
Remote's findings appear to match with previous studies that explore the status of work-life balance in the Philippines.
For instance, a study from survey software company Milieu Insight revealed that 6 in 10 women in Southeast Asia including the Philippines struggle to manage both their work and family commitments,
This has resulted in them striving to learn time management techniques to balance professional and personal demands.
According to the 3,000 respondents, a healthy work-life balance is much needed, with 53% of working mothers feeling neutral or dissatisfied with their country’s maternity leave policy.
"Providing adequate resources for self-care and promoting a culture of wellness can help alleviate the strain on working mothers and contribute to their overall job satisfaction and productivity," Milieu Insight stated.
Why is work-life balance important?
Remote emphasized that work-life balance "must become a priority for employers," explaining that it "isn’t a singular concern but a system of ethics."
"It involves several factors — from the hours we work to the healthcare support we receive — that work in unison to ensure we can perform to the best of our capabilities when we’re at work while enabling us to live a happy, healthy life outside of the workplace," they stated.
The platform clarified, however, that this doesn't mean that people's careers should be seen as unimportant.
"It ensures the time and effort we put into our jobs never comes at the expense of our physical or mental wellbeing — or the quality time we’re able to spend doing the things we love," Remote noted.
"As the working world evolves and employee expectations shift, we understand more about the importance of keeping our personal and professional interests in harmony — and begin to realize that factors such as the hours we spend at our desks are less important than the results we deliver," they continued.
Debunking myths and misconceptions about work-life balance, Remote said that a hybrid work set-up is "not four mandatory days in the office and an optional one at home."
"True flexibility enables the employee to determine when and where they’re most productive," they argued.
Another issue they contended is how the time an employee spends at their desk is not always an indicator of their productivity and how there should never be a stigma around taking time off.
"Positive outcomes are more important than clocking up a certain number of hours," Remote stressed. "Spending time away from work should be actively encouraged through fair leave policies."
They also underscored that employees who take breaks during the working day often maintain better focus and are less likely to burn out.