Nearly three-quarters believe office visibility boosts promotion prospects: survey
Australian professionals may need to reconsider their remote work preferences if they’re aiming for career progression.
That’s because 74% of Australian employers believe an employee’s physical presence in the office significantly increases their chances of promotion.
And 93% of companies are implementing return-to-office (RTO) mandates and one in five respondents indicated they already work fully on-site.
“Employers are putting a premium on in-office presence,” said Andrew Brushfield, Director at Robert Half, which did the survey. “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.”
Australia isn’t alone in this trend: Robert Half found similar attitudes across Europe, with large majorities of employers in the UK (68%), Germany (69%), the Netherlands (68%), and France (62%) also linking office presence to promotional outcomes.
However, employers across Australia are enjoying a bigger talent pool thanks to work from home arrangements, according to a separate report.
While some employees are adjusting to the new reality, not everyone is willing to sacrifice flexibility for a step up the ladder, found Robert Half. Nearly half (45%) of Australian professionals say they would come into the office more often if it was expected for a promotion.
However, 17% would rather keep working from home, even if it cost them a promotion, and 18% would consider changing jobs to maintain their remote setup, found the survey.
However, generational differences also emerged. Younger workers are the most willing to trade remote days for career progress—52% of Gen Z and 48% of Millennials said they’d increase in-office time if it meant better promotion prospects, compared to 43% of Gen X and just 37% of Baby Boomers.
Brushfield acknowledged the delicate balance employers must strike: “Recognising the connection between visibility and promotions, businesses face a complex balancing act between enforcing in-office attendance and maintaining employee satisfaction and retention. Transparent communication explaining the value of in-office presence is key to ensuring equitable opportunities for all employees.”
The report is based on a survey of 500 hiring managers and 1,000 full-time employees across the country.
