New study highlights challenges for remote and hybrid workers seeking career advancement.
- 27% of office staff working flexibly feel they have missed out on promotions.
- Millennials and Gen-Z workers report higher rates of feeling overlooked.
- Work-life balance and flexibility are key priorities for modern employees.
- Significant dissatisfaction arises when flexible working options are reduced.
A recent study has emphasised the challenges hybrid and home-based workers face when aiming for promotion. Conducted by consultancy firm United Culture, the research surveyed 1,000 office employees from the UK and US to uncover that more than a quarter, 27%, of those who work flexibly believe they have missed out on career advancement opportunities.
The issue appears even more pronounced among millennials and older Gen-Z workers, many of whom are positioned in management roles aspiring towards senior leadership. Specifically, 37% of individuals aged 25 to 34 and 42% of those aged 35 to 44 feel they have been passed over for promotions. This data suggests a disconnect between the expectations of such flexible workers and the recognition they receive.
The survey also revealed the workforce’s prevailing preferences, with work-life balance and flexibility emerging as the top two valued attributes, chosen by 43% and 27% of respondents, respectively. Notably, 57% of workers indicated they would consider leaving their employment should flexibility be diminished. A substantial portion, about one in seven, expressed outright that they would leave under such circumstances.
Some companies have already altered or reduced the flexibilities they previously offered, with 25% of respondents noting changes in the past year. This figure increases significantly amongst younger workers aged 18 to 24, reaching nearly half at 44%. The desire for flexible working arrangements that allow changes in work schedules, such as compressed hours or early and late finishes, is strong, with 39% favouring these options. Similarly, 33% stated preferences for flexibility regarding their work location.
Mavis Boniface, Global Operations Director at United Culture, commented on the findings, highlighting a cultural disconnect within organisations. She noted the necessity for companies to treat employees working flexibly equitably compared to their in-office counterparts. Boniface warns that an organisational emphasis on presenteeism over productivity could lead to significant talent loss, which businesses can ill-afford.
The study clearly indicates that flexible working arrangements are essential to today’s workforce but may come with challenges in career progression.
