What do Filipinos expect from bosses? Support for well-being, stability, flexibility
MANILA, Philippines — What do Filipinos want from their bosses? A recent study found that most expect employers to genuinely support their well-being.
Global professional services firm Aon released its 2025 Employee Sentiments Study, based on a survey conducted in August 2024 across 23 countries to understand workers’ experiences, values and expectations worldwide.
Among 263 Filipino respondents, 70% expect their employers to prioritize employee well-being. The study also found that a little more than half felt they were coping with or managing job-related challenges.
Meanwhile, nearly 1 in 5 said they were “thriving” or “continually progressing positively.” Another 23% described themselves as content with their current work situation and well-being.
Despite this, 12% of Filipino workers still feel undervalued in their current jobs.
On top of that, 6% of Filipinos said their workload is becoming increasingly difficult and overwhelming, while 2% admitted they are unable to cope on their own. This suggests that nearly 1 in 10 Filipino employees are facing unbearable challenges.
Empowering Filipinos to save
Filipino employees also expect their employers to support financial education, provide guidance and help them save for emergencies and retirement.
Two-thirds of respondents believe their employers should assist in building an emergency fund and offer opportunities for retirement savings.
Meanwhile, 58% think companies should provide resources to help employees learn how to better manage their finances.
These expectations align with the top work benefits Filipinos value, including medical coverage, paid time off, work-life balance programs, career development and retirement savings.
Regardless of generation — Gen Z, Millennial or Gen X — Filipino employees shared identical priorities across age groups.
Only 1 in 5 Filipino employees, or even fewer, currently receive a defined contribution plan, defined benefit pension or other retirement savings.
The study also noted that these priorities reflect broader health and economic challenges in the Philippines, where access to medical care, insurance and essential treatments remains a concern.
“Amid continued economic volatility and the rising cost of living, there is a growing expectation for employers to assist in establishing an emergency fund and retirement, supporting both current and future financial well-being,” the Aon report read.
What businesses could do
Aon recommended employers to assess well-being, resilience and performance at individual, team and organizational levels while offering coaching, training and growth-supporting strategies.
Organizations are also encouraged to adopt remote work setups when feasible, as they reduce carbon emissions and benefit employees' careers.
More than half of global respondents said remote work boosted job competition, while many see gig work as an “attractive alternative.”
The study warns that businesses failing to adapt to these trends risk losing talent to the gig economy.
- Latest
- Trending
