Why December Is the Worst Time to Hire Filipino Remote Workers

The end of the year is typically not an ideal time to hire remote workers from the Philippines.

During November and December, Filipino workers are particularly focused on the holiday season and have legitimate concerns about starting new employment. They often worry about whether they’ll receive time off during these important cultural celebrations if they begin a new position.

Additionally, many are hesitant to leave their current positions before receiving their year-end salary and benefits, including the 13th month pay that many companies provide.

The uncertainty of starting a new job can be incredibly stressful during the holiday season. Workers naturally want to ensure they’ll receive their pay on time to cover holiday expenses and celebrations, making them less likely to take risks with new employment opportunities during this period.

January, however, presents a much more opportune time for hiring. Many Filipino professionals traditionally use the new year as a transition point to explore remote work opportunities, often leaving their traditional office jobs. This results in a significant increase in job seekers entering the remote work market at the beginning of the year.

A practical approach is to prepare job postings in advance and publish them in early January, specifically around January 2nd. This strategy typically yields a much larger pool of qualified candidates who are actively seeking new opportunities.