Workers who are “reluctant” to return to the office might be putting their career at risk, new research has found.
The politicisation of working from home has reignited a fresh debate over whether you will be overlooked for a promotion if you aren’t physically in the office.
Recruitment agency Robert Half surveyed employers and discovered three out of four agreed in-office attendance impacts a person’s chance of getting a raise or promotion.
Only 13 per cent of employers surveyed said they wouldn’t use physical attendance as a benchmark for rewarding hard workers.
A further 45 per cent of workers said they would spend more time in the office if attendance was a prerequisite for career progression.
“As employers increasingly value staff being physically present in the office, employees seeking continued remote work may face career progression challenges,” said Robert Half director Andrew Brushfield.
“The ‘out-of-sight, out-of-mind’ effect is real. In-office presence increases visibility, fosters collaboration, and signals dedication and commitment, all factors employers consider for promotions.”
Despite this unwelcome news for remote workers, 17 per cent of employees said they would still choose working from home over the chance of a promotion.
Among the generations, Gen Z and Millennials were found to be the most receptive to returning to the office for promotional advantages.
Gen X and Baby Boomers were slightly less willing to increase their office days.
“Recognising the connection between visibility and promotions, businesses face a complex balancing act between enforcing in-office attendance and maintaining employee satisfaction and retention,” Brushfield added.
“Transparent communication explaining the value of in-office presence is key to ensuring equitable opportunities for all employees.”
The highest paid jobs that let you work from home
Millions of Australians work remotely at least part of the week, according to RedSearch.
More than half of all workers (53 per cent) work from home part of the time and 69 per cent of employers offer a hybrid model.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese last week championed the right to work from home and offer worker flexibility after Opposition Leader Peter Dutton suggested all public servants should be in the office full time.
