Employers reluctant to award promotions to WFH employees, Robert Half finds

New research from Robert Half has revealed that 74 per cent of Australian employers are more likely to award promotions to employees with consistent office attendance.

The research suggested employees reluctant to return to the office could be putting their next promotion at risk, highlighting that professional careers could benefit from office attendance.

The research consisted of 500 hiring managers and 1,000 full-time office workers in finance, accounting, business, IT and technology and found that only 13 per cent of employers disagreed that a physical office presence impacted an employee’s chance of promotion.

Andrew Brushfield, director at Robert Half, said the research demonstrated important factors that work-from-home employees should take into account.

“As employers increasingly value staff being physically present in the office, employees seeking continued remote work may face career progression challenges,” he said.

“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.”

According to the results, Australian employers were not alone in holding this view as 68 per cent of employers across Europe and the UK, 69 per cent in Germany, 68 per cent in the Netherlands, and 62 per cent in France reported similar sentiments.

Based on the findings, employees said they would be prepared to increase their office attendance rather than risk being overlooked for a promotion.

Fifty-four per cent said they would increase their in-office attendance if their employer outlined it as a requirement or expectation for career progression.

Twenty per cent of employees said they already attended the office full-time, 17 per cent said they would choose working from home over a promotion, and 18 per cent said they would look for employment elsewhere that did not require consistent office attendance.

The research also found that younger generations, such as Gen Z and Millennials, were more likely to increase their office attendance if it resulted in a promotion compared to older generations, such as Gen X and Baby Boomers.

Brushfield recommended that employers ensure they clearly define their expectations and career progression offerings when hiring new staff.

“Recognising the connection between visibility and promotions, businesses face a complex balancing act between enforcing in-office attendance and maintaining employee satisfaction and retention,” he said.

“Transparent communication explaining the value of in-office presence is key to ensuring equitable opportunities for all employees.”