Employers need to look beyond recruitment and pay to retain workers, as 38 percent of Filipino employees reported chronic burnout, with workload stress and work-life balance among the key factors affecting workplace happiness, according to Jobstreet by SEEK.
The company’s Workplace Happiness Index: Philippines 2025 report found that one in four employed respondents felt neutral or unhappy with their jobs, highlighting challenges employers may need to address beyond filling vacancies.
Only 57 percent of respondents said they were happy with their current workload, while 42 percent said better work-life balance would improve their happiness at work.
Higher compensation ranked first among the factors workers cited, pointing to the importance of both pay and working conditions in employee satisfaction.
Jobstreet by SEEK said workers experiencing stress may hesitate to raise their concerns, allowing fatigue and disengagement to persist even as they continue fulfilling their responsibilities.
These issues may not immediately lead to resignations but can contribute to absenteeism, poor mental health outcomes and declining motivation, the report said.
For employers, addressing these concerns requires clear job expectations, consistent mentorship and career development opportunities, rather than focusing solely on recruitment.
The company also urged employers to foster open communication, conduct regular employee check-ins and provide support for mental well-being and work-life balance.
‘This report serves as the voice of our Filipino talent experiencing ‘silent struggles’ in their workplace,’ Jobstreet by SEEK’s managing director in the Philippines Dannah Majarocon said.
She said a more compassionate, people-centered approach could help employers strengthen employee morale and retention.
Jobstreet by SEEK also recommended workplace recognition programs and peer-support initiatives to help employees feel valued and connected to their teams.