Filipino dads join working mom’s concerns on childcare, returning to work

Despite a rise of flexible arrangements at the workplace, inadequate compensation and poor work-life balance are pushing an increasing number of Filipino professionals to quit their jobs, according to a new study by Monster.com.


Ahead of Mother’s Day, Monster.com surveyed more than 2,000 professionals across Singapore, Malaysia and the Philippines to understand the unique challenges and barriers both men and women face at work, particularly with regards to parental leave and work-life balance. This survey was conducted for the third consecutive year as part of the #SheMakesItWork campaign in celebration and support of mothers in the workforce, or returning to work after having children

While an overwhelming 77% of Filipino professionals say that they have flexibility at their workplace, 50% still feel challenged in terms of striking an appropriate work-life balance, while 40% also feel inadequately compensated.

The same survey reveals an alarming number of both men (62%) and women (71%) are planning to look for a new job within the next 12 months.

This is especially true of new parents - over half of mums (56%) and dads (53%) say they feel the pressure to provide for their family. Interestingly, more men in the Philippines (54%) claim to worry about getting the right childcare support than women (46%), while more women (64%) than men (61%) say they are only returning to work after having a baby only for financial reasons.

It cannot be denied that the bulk of parenting load falls upon women - and men are quick to acknowledge this. Sixty-three percent of male respondents recognise that their partners do most of the housework, and 61% admit their spouse spends significant time taking care of their children. Perhaps it’s no surprise, then, that a quarter of Filipino men (26%) say their partners don’t have enough time to relax and unwind.

A significant number of working mothers (60%) in the Philippines also say that they find it emotionally difficult to leave their children at home while they head out to work. Most men (74%) agree that the desire to spend more time with their family is one of the main reasons why new mothers quit their jobs.

“It’s interesting to note that both men and women in the Philippines feel the same levels of concern around raising a family and managing work. Gone are the days when the pressure of childcare used to fall on mothers alone - men are now beginning to step up and take equal ownership of family needs, which is a necessary step towards building an equality-based workforce,” said Abhijeet Mukherjee, CEO of Monster.com – APAC & Gulf.

“This is a wake-up call for employers looking to retain their workforce. In a market that has typically been financially motivated, young parents are now seeking out non-monetary benefits such as flexible working arrangements and more supportive environments with strong parental leave policies, so both partners can balance work and home life.”