Digital push gains support as virus disrupts business

By Adam J. Ang

MORE companies are compelled to revamp their business models to step into further digitalization as the global coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has greatly affected the ways of doing business in the present age.

In a webinar hosted by the Management Association of the Philippines on Friday, leaders of JG Summit Holdings Inc., SyCip Gorres Velayo (SGV) & Co., and 1771 Group of Restaurants discussed the ways they are balancing their commitments to manage their workforces, to serve their customers or clients, and to aid the country as it grapples with the public health crisis.

“I think it [pandemic crisis] has accelerated our own conclusion that we need to really do digital ways of working,” said Nicasio L. Lim, group senior vice president for corporate resources of JG Summit.

He noted that the present crisis has opened many opportunities for the digital integration of various businesses for further productivity.

“We realize there’s a lot of opportunities to increase our productivity to do mergers and integrations on the ways of how we do our systems and processes,” Mr. Lim said.

Besides flexible work arrangements, many businesses have implemented work-from-home scheme for their employees as the country is placed under enhanced community quarantine (ECQ).

Based on data from the online job portal JobStreet, almost half of Filipino workers (47.8%) desired the option to work from home.

Workers of professional services firm SGV & Co. have turned into a remote working scheme since the implementation of the ECQ.

“We are able to shift to a work-from-home working arrangement immediately during the ECQ given that we’ve invested highly in digital transformation over the past years,” Julie Christine O. Mateo, a talent leader from the company, said.

But the firm noted that workers faced some challenges with the work set-up, such as feelings of isolation, time management, and even personal struggles.

To resolve this, the human resources department of the company has regularly put up a series of activities intended to engage them.

“What keeps us busy right now is we have to continue to engage our people on a virtual set-up which is different from a face-to-face set-up,” Ms. Mateo said.

Meanwhile, companies providing essential services claimed they have enforced safety measures and protocols as ordered by the government.

The 1771 Group, which has temporarily shuttered their food business since the enforcement of the ECQ, planned to reopen restaurants by the end of April, according to Ramon Ricardo V. Gutierrez, the company’s chairman and chief executive officer.

JobStreet noted that employees, especially those who cannot work remotely, will also seek medical and insurance coverages for themselves and their families from their employers, aside from mandatory government benefits.

Also, it said that a majority of the workforce (88%) wanted double-pay during holidays or in such events as calamities.

Both JG Summit and the 1771 Group cited that health insurance companies have offered telemedical consultations for those who wish to avail them.

“How employers will treat their people today will greatly influence the decision of their employees after this pandemic. Employees will remember how their employers have treated them today,” Mr. Lim said.

JobStreet said employees are watching how companies respond to the COVID-19 crisis. “With this, it’s important that your company continues to make strides forward,” it said.

GRADUAL WORK RECOVERY
Meanwhile, the Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) is considering a gradual return of employees to work as soon as the ECQ lapses by the end of the month.

“We are thinking that should the lockdown period really end on April 30… it should not be an abrupt report-to-work for all the workers. We are thinking of maybe a gradual [return], about 30%, and then after one month, another 50%, and then 75%,” DoLE Undersecretary Ana C. Dione said in the webinar.

This move will help companies make necessary adjustments in occupational safety and health (OSH) protocols for their workers, along with the implementation of social distancing measures being ordered by the government.

Likewise, DoLE will create some adjustments in the implementation of Republic Act 11058 or the OSH Law.

As part of the employment recovery plan of the Labor department, Ms. Dione said: “We are also putting up some programs for those who will be laid off or those who will be unemployed.”