The New Year is as good a time as any to explore new possibilities. For many Filipinos, this may mean embarking on a job search or reevaluating their career paths. In the past few years, choosing the right work model—office, remote, or hybrid—has also factored into the equation. Depending on one’s preferences and chosen career, each of these arrangements has the potential to make a serious impact on the viability of a given position. In some cases, they’re almost as important as compensation and benefits.
Knowing about the current outlook of these arrangements may help you navigate the available call center jobs and other types of opportunities companies are offering nowadays. Let’s briefly go through some of the more important distinctions between these work arrangements before delving into their possible evolution in 2025 and beyond.
Office/On-Site Jobs
This traditional arrangement requires employees to work at a real-world job site. These kinds of positions are necessary when they involve hands-on labor or require face-to-face interactions. Today, however, many businesses believe on-site work is a necessary part of their internal culture and may mandate it simply so that employees are able to develop ties with each other. Generally speaking, these roles are associated with structured schedules and clear boundaries between work and home life.
Remote/Work-from-Home/Telecommute Jobs
These positions allow employees to work from any location, provided they have the resources available to perform their tasks. They are particularly suited for responsible individuals who thrive in independent environments and can also manage their schedules effectively. Introverts in fields that do not require face-to-face interactions may find such arrangements productive, while extroverts may find them unsatisfying.
Hybrid Jobs
These arrangements combine elements of both office and remote work, typically involving a few days at the work site and the rest at home. They may offer a good compromise for jobseekers in careers that require both face-to-face interactions and long stretches of quiet productive time.
What Will Happen to These Work Models in 2025 and Beyond?
It’s impossible to say for certain what will happen to these positions in the coming months and years, but it’s likely that job trends from the end of the COVID-19 lockdowns will continue to hold. Let’s examine how these arrangements are likely to evolve:
1) Office-Based Jobs Will Compete to Deliver Better Employee Experiences
Anyone who has ever worked in a BPO with free food and a foosball table knows that this is nothing new. However, with so many employers offering attractive remote and hybrid positions, those that must maintain traditional office setups are under pressure to enhance their physical workspaces to attract talent.
Outside the typical free coffee and lunches, features like wellness zones, collaborative hubs, and ergonomic office furniture are becoming more widespread. Where most employers once saw these as frivolities, many now consider them necessary expenses to justify on-site work.
2) Remote Work Opportunities Will Expand in Tech-Driven Industries
Despite high-profile opposition from some influential individuals, remote and hybrid arrangements will continue to be the norm in IT, digital marketing, and creative fields. The increasing reliability of cloud-based collaboration tools, better cybersecurity, and improving Philippine digital infrastructure are already addressing concerns over productivity and data protection. Additionally, many business owners are still loath to pay for the office space, utilities, and increasingly elaborate amenities needed to make office work manageable and attractive in the present day.
3) Hybrid Models Will Dominate in High-Level Corporate Settings
Hybrid work is already the default for top corporate jobs, given the theoretical flexibility and collaboration benefits. Offices are increasingly adopting “anchor days” for team meetings and changing offices from dedicated workspaces into hubs for occasional gatherings. Not everyone is on board, but it’s now fully expected that corporate jobs will offer at least a couple of days of remote work each month.
4) Demand for Co-Working Spaces Will Grow
As hybrid and remote jobs rise, the demand for co-working spaces will increase, particularly in areas with a healthy tourism industry. These spaces provide welcome professional environments for those seeking a break from home isolation. More importantly, these spaces also serve as networking hotspots that provide Filipino job hunters with solid opportunities.
5) Mental Health and Work-Life Balance Will Be Key Selling Points
Jobseekers will continue to gravitate towards employers who prioritize their well-being, regardless of the work model. While simple remote opportunities may suffice for some individuals, perks like mental health days, wellness programs, and flexible hours are going to be more important across all work arrangements, reflecting a post-pandemic shift in wider employee values.
6) Philippine Companies Will Be Slow to Adapt
Multinational companies and small agencies are currently leading the shift toward remote and hybrid models. Meanwhile, most Filipino-owned businesses are adopting these changes at a slower pace. However, given that younger workers now demand more flexibility and technological integration, most traditional companies are likely to make at least a few concessions for remote or hybrid work.
Build The Career You Imagined in Today’s Diverse Work Landscape
The nature of work continues to evolve, mostly for the better. The diversity of options has been generally a major boon for Filipino job hunters and employers alike, freeing both from the limitations of geography and allowing for more work preferences to be accommodated. As we step into 2025, being open to these changes and keeping an eye out for emerging trends should help you achieve the kind of career success you’ve always imagined for yourself, no matter which arrangement your job falls under.
