The COVID-19 pandemic is not just a health crisis – it is also a social and economic crisis that has drastically impacted the world of work. Across the globe, organizations in different sectors and industries faced novel challenges and demands, which also led to significant difficulties for employees. There was a need to adapt organizational systems and processes in order for companies to remain operational and relevant. At the same time, the safety, well-being, and productivity of the workforce needed to be considered, given new and unfamiliar working arrangements and other socio-economic realities.
In this panel, we present studies that examine different facets of work-life for Filipino workers during the COVID-19 crisis. These studies focus on specific groups within the workforce and consider their unique experiences during the pandemic. The first study focuses on the challenges of migrant Filipino workers who lost their jobs and how they coped. The second study explores the experiences of human resource management practitioners who played an important role in their organizations’ transition during the early phase of the pandemic. The remaining studies explore experiences approximately one year after the first onset of the pandemic in the country. In particular, the third study explores effective leadership behavior during COVID-19. The fourth study delves into the job demands and resources that impact employees’ working experience. And finally, the last study examines experiences of work-life balance among married and single employees.
These studies explore the conditions and experiences of workers during the pandemic and thereby provide greater insight into the needs, challenges, and ways of coping among the working population. Furthermore, the findings provide insight on how organizations can better support workers as the pandemic continues to unfold, and how organizational leaders can orient their operations can better prepare for future similar crises.
Job Demands and Resources in the Philippines One Year Into COVID-19
Emerald Jay D. Ilac
Ateneo Center for Organization Research and Development, Department of Psychology
Ateneo de Manila University
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Jaimee Felice Caringal-Go
Ateneo Center for Organization Research and Development, Department of Psychology
Ateneo de Manila University
Ma. Tonirose D. Mactal
Ateneo Center for Organization Research and Development, Department of Psychology
Ateneo de Manila University
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Mendiola Teng-Calleja
Ateneo Center for Organization Research and Development, Department of Psychology
Ateneo de Manila University
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The purpose of this study is to examine the positive and negative job characteristics that impact employees’ working experience during the COVID-19 pandemic. The job demands and resources (JDR) theory is used as a framework. By gathering data approximately one year after the first onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines, it provides more current insight into the experiences of workers in a country located in the Global South. An online survey was utilized to gather qualitative responses, and data from 122 workers were subjected to thematic analysis. Ten superordinate themes for demands emerged, including technological limitations, work requirements, health and safety, issues with interpersonal relationships, experiencing performance concerns, salaries and compensations, need for job and work security, the organization’s capability and response, leadership distresses, and the complexity of work from home. There were six superordinate themes for resources, including assure safety and health, promote work-from-home setup, provide work resources, communicate and share information, adjust organization policies and systems, measure employee engagement, and consult the employees. Findings highlight the utility of the JD-R theory in understanding experiences of workers during a crisis. They also suggest the relevance of leadership and communication as both demands and resources, and the need for organizations to be informed and forward-looking during a crisis.
Examining Experiences of Human Resources Management Practitioners During COVID-19: A Phenomenological Study
Mendiola Teng-Calleja
Ateneo Center for Organization Research and Development, Department of Psychology
Ateneo de Manila University
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Jaimee Felice Caringal-Go
Ateneo Center for Organization Research and Development, Department of Psychology
Ateneo de Manila University
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Emerald Jay D. Ilac
Ateneo Center for Organization Research and Development, Department of Psychology
Ateneo de Manila University
The experiences of organizations during the pandemic highlighted the contribution of the human resource management (HRM) unit during periods of crisis. Using a phenomenological approach, this study sought to expand current knowledge on HRM practitioners’ experiences during the pandemic and the HRM unit’s contribution to the COVID-19 response efforts of organizations. Interviews were conducted with 11 HR managers in the Philippines about their experiences at work when the COVID-19 pandemic first hit the country. Results reflect HR’s important role in helping to manage the needs and challenges of both the organization and the employees during a crisis. Efficient HRM actions were also needed in various HRM functions, particularly learning and development, workforce planning, compensation and benefits, performance and productivity management, employee engagement, employee well-being and learning and development. In doing so, the HRM practitioners helped enable organizational agility and employee responsiveness during these difficult times. These findings highlight the vital role of the HRM unit in managing the impact of the pandemic, and suggest that technology and communication are important tools in helping organizations and employees transition to the new work environment.
Job Loss During the COVID-19 Crisis: A Phenomenological Study on the Experiences of Filipino Migrant Workers
Ma. Tonirose D. Mactal
Ateneo Center for Organization Research and Development, Department of Psychology
Ateneo de Manila University
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Mendiola Teng-Calleja
Ateneo Center for Organization Research and Development, Department of Psychology
Ateneo de Manila University
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Jaimee Felice Caringal-Go
Ateneo Center for Organization Research and Development, Department of Psychology
Ateneo de Manila University
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Rae Mark S. Zantua
Ateneo Center for Organization Research and Development, Department of Psychology
Ateneo de Manila University
Massive involuntary job loss is one of the most damaging consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic. As a distressful life event, studies revealed how it can adversely impact one’s wellbeing especially when challenges are unmanaged. Using phenomenology as its theoretical lens, this study aimed to provide an understanding of the experience of sudden job loss among 12 Filipino migrant workers through semi-structured online interviews. In particular, it explored the difficulties, coping mechanisms, and critical resources that enabled them to deal with the transition from being substantial income earners to jobless individuals. The analysis underscored the need for a concerted response, especially at the government level, to help mitigate the adverse psychological and economic impact of unemployment among migrant workers
Effective Leadership in Organizations the Philippines One Year Into the COVID-19 Crisis: An Example from the Philippines
Jaimee Felice Caringal-Go
Ateneo Center for Organization Research and Development, Department of Psychology
Ateneo de Manila University
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Mendiola Teng-Calleja
Ateneo Center for Organization Research and Development, Department of Psychology
Ateneo de Manila University
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Ma. Tonirose D. Mactal
Ateneo Center for Organization Research and Development, Department of Psychology
Ateneo de Manila University
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Edna P. Franco
Ateneo Center for Organization Research and Development, Department of Psychology
Ateneo de Manila University
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Rae Mark S. Zantua
Ateneo Center for Organization Research and Development, Department of Psychology
Ateneo de Manila University
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Mikee C. Talamayan
Ateneo Center for Organization Research and Development, Department of Psychology
Ateneo de Manila University
Effective leadership is instrumental in helping organizations weather through challenges and changes during periods of crisis. The purpose of this study is to identify leadership behaviors that employees deemed helpful for the organization and for the workforce approximately one year after the first onset of the pandemic in the Philippines. The meta categories of leadership (Yukl et al., 2002), particularly task-oriented, relationship-oriented and change-oriented leadership, were used as a guiding framework. Qualitative data from 128 employees were gathered through an online survey and subjected to content analysis. Results pointed to several behaviors under each of the meta categories. Themes under task-oriented leadership were communication (information-focused), decisiveness, flexibility and responsiveness, managing and organizing, and monitoring operations and performance. Relationship-oriented leadership involved emotional support, instrumental support, relation-focused communication, empowering, and consulting. Under change-oriented leadership was adaptability. Finally, a fourth meta category called influence-oriented leadership involved the themes of positivity, role-modeling, and transparency. Implications on the study of crisis leadership, as well as practical implications for leaders of organizations during periods of crises, are discussed.
Examining the Work-life Balance of Married and Single Employees during the COVID-19 Crisis
Erwine S. Dela Paz
Ateneo Center for Organization Research and Development, Department of Psychology
Ateneo de Manila University
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Ma. Tonirose D. Mactal
Ateneo Center for Organization Research and Development, Department of Psychology
Ateneo de Manila University
Jaimee Felice Caringal-Go
Ateneo Center for Organization Research and Development, Department of Psychology
Ateneo de Manila University
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Mendiola Teng-Calleja
Ateneo Center for Organization Research and Development, Department of Psychology
Ateneo de Manila University
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Work-life balance (WLB) has been a topic of interest during the COVID-19 pandemic given massive changes in work arrangements and employee contexts. The purpose of this study is to examine changes in employees’ WLB one year into the COVID-19 pandemic and to determine factors that contribute to the increase or decrease in WLB among married and single employees. Paired t-tests were conducted to explore changes in WLB. Topic modelling through Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA) was then utilized to determine what contributed to changes in WLB among single and married groups. Eight topics emerged, with 5 of these explaining decreases in WLB and 3 topics explaining increases in WLB. Decreases in WLB were related to experiences of stress, limitation of social interactions, working hours and urgent communications among single employees; and technology for married employees. Increases in WLB were related to catching rest for single employees; and travel time and presence with family for married employees. These findings suggest different WLB experiences based on employee marital status. It highlights the need for organizations to understand their workforce’s demographics and each groups’ needs and challenges in order for relevant and appropriate policies and systems to be implemented during the pandemic.