At AckerWorx, we are committed to building a team of professionals who share our core values of integrity, accountability, and excellence. As part of our global recruitment strategy, we have engaged with talented individuals from various regions, including the Philippines. While we have successfully hired candidates from the Philippines in the past, our recruitment process revealed several recurring challenges related to work ethics and mindset that do not fully align with our company’s standards. As a result, we have decided to pause hiring candidates located in the Philippines.
Commitment to Company Ethics
AckerWorx operates on a foundation of strict ethical principles. We seek individuals who demonstrate:
- Accountability: A commitment to taking responsibility for their work.
- Proactive Problem-Solving: A mindset focused on anticipating and addressing challenges independently.
- Transparency: Clear communication and openness in professional interactions.
During our recruitment phase, we observed some patterns in candidate behavior that raised concerns about alignment with these values. While we recognize that such traits are not representative of an entire region, consistent issues within a particular hiring market must be addressed to maintain the integrity of our workforce.
Challenges Encountered During Recruitment
- Work Ethic Inconsistencies:
- Some candidates demonstrated a lack of follow-through on commitments, such as missing deadlines or failing to communicate delays effectively.
- There were instances of candidates displaying a reactive rather than proactive approach to tasks, which is incompatible with our fast-paced and innovation-driven culture.
- Mindset Misalignment:
- A noticeable number of candidates showed a preference for rigid, task-oriented workflows rather than embracing the dynamic, collaborative, and adaptable processes that AckerWorx values.
- Challenges in adopting critical thinking and initiative-driven attitudes were more frequent than expected.
- Cultural Differences in Professional Practices:
- Variations in professional standards, such as expectations around feedback, accountability, and ownership of outcomes, sometimes led to misaligned expectations between candidates and the company.
Why This Decision Was Made
Our decision is not a blanket judgment on professionals in the Philippines, many of whom possess exceptional talent and skills. Rather, it reflects our responsibility to ensure that every member of our team embodies the qualities and mindset essential to our mission. A mismatch in work ethics and approach can create inefficiencies and hinder the collective performance of the team.
AckerWorx’s Broader Hiring Philosophy
We continue to prioritize:
- Diversity and Inclusion: Hiring team members from varied backgrounds, regions, and perspectives to foster innovation and growth.
- Ethical Standards: Ensuring every hire is a cultural and professional fit for AckerWorx’s principles.
- Support and Development: Offering opportunities for growth and mentorship to all employees who demonstrate potential and alignment with our values.
Future Considerations
We recognize that work ethics and cultural alignment can be influenced by many factors, including the hiring process itself. As such, AckerWorx is:
- Reevaluating Recruitment Strategies: Exploring how to better assess candidates’ alignment with our values during early stages of recruitment.
- Investing in Training and Development: Considering partnerships with local organizations to help candidates better align with global professional standards.
- Open to Reassessment: While we have paused hiring in the Philippines for now, we remain open to revisiting this decision in the future as circumstances and processes evolve.
Conclusion
AckerWorx’s decision to limit hiring in the Philippines reflects our commitment to maintaining a workforce that aligns with our core values and work ethics. We continue to respect and admire the talent and potential of professionals in the Philippines and look forward to exploring ways to build mutually beneficial relationships in the future under the right circumstances.
