AFTER implementing a Work from Home (WFH) policy, which allows staff to work remotely two days a week, the Trinidad and Tobago Chamber of Industry and Commerce has observed an increase in productivity, according to its chief executive officer, Vashti Guyadeen.
In response to questions from Express Business, chief executive officer of the Chamber Vashti Guyadeen said, “At the T&T Chamber of Industry and Commerce, our WFH policy, which allows employees to work remotely two days per week, has already yielded measurable productivity improvements. This level of flexibility not only enhances output but also provides staff with opportunities to reset and maintain work-life balance.”
She referenced a 2021 study from Stanford University which found there was a 13% increase in productivity among remote workers, largely attributed to fewer distractions and improved focus.
Guyadeen said WFH policies can restore this lost time, enhance quality of life, and reduce additional commuting expenses.
“The Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) study estimates commuting expenses are at $558 per month per worker,” she said.
However, she advised that the policy has to be implemented in a manner where the ease of doing business is not hindered and improves with the digitisation of processes that citizens undertake.
She added in certain economic sectors, WFH aligns with global trends and addresses local challenges.
“By cutting down on commuting, workers can start their day with higher energy levels and less stress. Again, this is dependent on the sector. According to the ECLAC report, the economic cost of traffic congestion includes not only lost time but also additional expenses for childcare and after-work activities. By enabling employees to work from home, businesses can reduce these burdens, fostering a more engaged and productive workforce,” said Guyadeen.
Moreover, she believes that this transition moves T&T closer to creating “digital highways,” to support a more sustainable and efficient economy.
She also addressed concerns of computer literacy in T&T and said, “T&T has a solid foundation of digital connectivity but we need to improve our digital literacy as gaps remain in skills and infrastructure. According to the World Bank’s ‘Digital Development Overview for Latin America and the Caribbean 2023’, internet penetration is robust at 79%, but digital upskilling is needed for widespread adoption of remote work tools. Media literacy is also a necessity. The ECLAC study highlights that addressing inefficiencies in current systems, such as integrating ‘digital highways’ with physical roadways, could bolster the country’s readiness for remote work by complementing WFH policies with improved digital services.
“There must be a balance in implementation,” Guyadeen stressed.
Asked about the membership’s adoption of WFH, she said it is difficult to provide a precise figure, but the Chamber has members who have partially transitioned to remote or hybrid operations as a learning from the pandemic.
“Some members who relinquished office spaces during the pandemic period continue to function remotely, while others have adopted hybrid work models, yet many still maintain fully staffed. Sectors such as manufacturing and retail and distribution, which rely heavily on physical operations, are less likely to benefit from such policies,” she said.
Guyadeen added that according to global trends, the benefits of WFH for employers include lower operational costs and higher employee satisfaction but the operating model must be clearly defined and include elements such as a procedure for WFH, task expectations, key performance indicators and deadlines, and others.
“Where these processes have been properly established and employees adhere to the processes, it is reported by ECLAC that there is improvement in quality of life. Savings in commuting costs, estimated at $1,037 per month per worker,” she explained.
Policy for public
service to come soon
The final work-from-home policy for the Trinidad and Tobago Civil Service is expected to be completed by the second quarter of this year, the Ministry of Public Administration told Express Business in an e-mailed response to questions.
“A final Remote Work Policy for the T&T Civil Service and implementation strategy is carded to be completed within the second quarter of calendar year 2025,” it stated.
The ministry stated that it has received the first draft of the Remote Work Policy for the Civil Service, one of the two key deliverables under Phase Three of the project.
“The draft, along with the proposal for the launch of a pilot project, which is to involve a few ministries and positions, is currently before the Finance and General Purposes Committee, a sub-committee of the Cabinet, where it is being subjected to rigorous review and discussion. The project has five phases; culminating with the Final Remote Work Policy for the T&T Civil Service and Implementation Strategy,” the ministry explained.
Once approved, the ministry stated that some of the expected benefits are: increased participation in the labour market, including opening doors for persons with disabilities; attracting and retaining talent; improving work-life balance; promoting/supporting balanced regional development across T&T; and reducing commuting times and transport-related carbon emissions.
The ministry believes that, while the policy will be beneficial and could improve productivity within the civil service, it will require self-discipline and a new approach to the management of staff.
“To this end, the ministry recently hosted a training session co-sponsored and facilitated by the Commonwealth Secretariat to address the new management approach required, including the introduction/reinforcement of key performance indicators”, it stated.
“This course was targeted at all senior members of staff across the Public Service, including permanent secretaries and heads of departments, and is being followed up by the creation of detailed work plans and KPIs by all participants for rollout of a new management approach across the service. Properly implemented and managed, this will result in an increase in productivity and is expected to facilitate a successful implementation of the Remote Work Policy.”
The ministry stated that when conducting the study, it was crucial to consider the nuances, strengths, and weaknesses of the civil service.
“The Feasibility Study identified key areas that the Remote Work Policy must address, such as the identification of personas for remote work ‘from job categories within the Civil Service workforce that can fully execute work remotely, to job categories that cannot execute work remotely’, and the readiness of the ministries, departments and agencies within the Civil Service for remote work,” it stated.
The ministry stated that the final approach to addressing the challenges identified in the policy will be determined after monitoring the pilot project and conducting further discussions and consultations with stakeholders.
“If we can demonstrate that and secure approval, we hope to see an improvement in the traffic conditions on the nation’s road, improved work-life balance, a more contented, less stressed workforce, the attraction and retention of a better cadre of workers, the creation of more opportunities for persons with disabilities and perhaps, in the not too distant future, even opening up local opportunities to members of our very talented diaspora, all leading ultimately to a better served public,” the ministry added.
Speaking in the Senate in October, Public Administration Minister Allyson West stated that the most significant decision regarding the introduction of remote work will be how it impacts productivity in the Public Service.
“We are not prepared to introduce remote work if it is going to decrease the level of production, decrease the quality of service to the public. So that is an important element. So when we report to the Government and the Government makes a decision, we will advise the members of the Public Service and others as to whether we move forward with the remote work,” she said.
T&T well positioned
Economist Dr Vaalmikki Arjoon believes that T&T is well-positioned to support a meaningful work-from-home policy, which could help businesses achieve substantial cost savings by reducing operating expenses.
Arjoon is also of the belief that the work-from-home policy also helps address chronic traffic congestion, which negatively impacts people’s mental health and productivity.
“Time spent in traffic is time that could otherwise be devoted to job-related or other productive activities. By eliminating lengthy commutes, work-from-home enhances personal well-being, reduces transportation costs, and improves work-life balance, allowing employees to better manage personal responsibilities while fulfilling work commitments,” he said.
Despite this chief operating officer of the Cooperative Credit Union League of T&T Dianne Joseph said after discussing with the members, the consensus was that work-from-home could be properly utilised, but it may not be the best option on a full-time schedule.
So far, 50% of credit unions operate with a hybrid arrangement but it is not full-time or for all levels of staff.
“It is generally on a two-day per week rotational basis. This is given the nature of the operations of credit unions as financial institutions. A national policy may serve to increase this to a higher percentage,” Joseph explained.
Like Arjoon, she and her membership also believe that the work-from-home policy can solve traffic woes and employees may get longer hours of rest.
“From the standpoint of the employee, there are many benefits as they may have longer hours of rest, given the fact that they may not be required to leave their homes as early as 4 am and 5 am each day to get to work on time. If the long travel hours, early home departures and late arrival back home from work are minimised, the employees may be better focused and thus all-round better ready to perform,” she said.
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Publish date : 2025-01-21 11:26:00
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