Seven out of ten bosses are more likely to promote people who are in the office every day, according to new figures.
Research has found 68 per cent of companies promote members of staff based on their physical presence in the workplace rather than on how well they do their job.
Bosses from both the public and private sector and from small to large organisations all said that being physically present was key to landing a promotion.
But almost three-quarters of employees, 73 per cent, said they perform better if they are allowed to work from both home and the office – so-called hybrid working.
The recruitment specialists Robert Half asked 500 UK bosses if physical presence in the office significantly improved career prospects and 1,000 UK employees if they work better at home or in the office.
Seven out of ten bosses are more likely to promote people who are in the office every day, according to new figures (stock photo)
Chris Lawton, the UK and Ireland vice president of permanent placements at the firm, said bosses preferred to promote based on who they see in the office despite running the risk of losing their best staff because of it.
He said: ‘Employers are clearly placing growing value on staff being physically present in the office, and our data suggests
that career progression could be hindered for those who wish to continue with a hybrid set-up.
‘But we can’t overlook the fact that the power is still very much in the hands of the workforce.
‘Skills shortages are rife and if workers are made to feel that they are unable to progress because they aren’t in the office every day, they will simply move on.
‘And more often than not it will be the best performers or most in-demand professionals who will jump ship first.
Research has found 68 per cent of companies promote members of staff based on their physical presence in the workplace rather than on how well they do their job (stock photo)
‘Employers and employees are seemingly at odds around what an optimal set-up looks like.’
Employees in the marketing and creative industries are most likely to get promoted for turning up with 71 per cent of bosses saying being present mattered.
A further 70 per cent of bosses said the same of administrative and customer support staff followed by 67 per cent of those in financial services, 66 per cent in tech and IT and 64 per cent in the public sector and accounting.
Smaller and medium-sized firms are more likely to promote people for being present with 70 per cent of bosses from companies of fewer than 250 people saying being in the office mattered and another 70 per cent of bosses from firms of between 50 and 250 people saying the same.
A further 68 per cent of bosses from companies of 250 to 500 staff repeated this opinion, followed by 64 per cent for companies employing more than 500 people.