Employee Engagement and Creative Performance During COVID-19 Pandemic Basis for Sustainable Productivity in Selected Telecommunication Companies

Abstract

This study examined employee engagement, creative performance, and sustainable productivity among employees of four selected telecommunication companies in Metro Manila during the COVID-19 pandemic. A quantitative descriptive-correlational design was employed among 233 purposively selected active employees who had worked in the participating companies before and during the pandemic. Data were gathered through an online survey questionnaire reviewed by subject-matter experts and pilot-tested among 20 non-sample telecommunication employees. The instrument obtained a Cronbach's alpha coefficient of .915. Frequency, percentage, weighted mean, standard deviation, chi-square test, and Cramer's V were used. Employee engagement was high overall (M = 4.05), with vigor and dedication obtaining the highest means (M = 4.24 each), followed by absorption (M = 3.68). Creative-performance-related dimensions were also high: adaptive performance obtained M = 4.24, task performance M = 4.16, and contextual performance M = 4.10. Counterproductive work behavior obtained M = 3.02, indicating a continuing need for workplace support and behavior-management interventions. Productivity was high (M = 4.41). Civil status, company affiliation, and employee classification were significantly associated with employee engagement, while civil status, company affiliation, and employment status were significantly associated with creative performance. The reported effect sizes were negligible to low, suggesting that organizational practices and support systems remain important areas for intervention. The study proposes the ENGAGE+ Sustainable Productivity Program to integrate engagement, learning, innovation, employee well-being, recognition, communication, and monitoring initiatives.