Proximity bias: Working in-office may boost career growth

Does working from home hinder your chances for career advancement? A report by Executive Networks suggests there is a “proximity bias” which may hurt hybrid workers.

Many organisations continue to adopt similar workplace policies to those established during the pandemic. Hybrid-working has not only become the standard way to work but is now the employee preference in the post-pandemic work landscape.  Having adapted to these new and more remote workplace policies, many workers don’t see themselves returning to the office full-time. However, 50% of workers agreed that being in the office is beneficial for career development.

The Executive Networks survey revealed that 71% of Senior HR leaders and 62% of Senior Business Executives acknowledged a “proximity bias” is working against people who don’t work in-office full-time. The bias in question is making it difficult for remote and hybrid workers to get ahead in their careers and sees the prioritisation (and perhaps favouritism) of in-office staff over others. A study from early 2022 found that younger workers are more likely to report stifled career advancements as a result of remote working schedules.

Jeanne Meister, an Executive Vice President at Executive Networks, said: “Companies are offering more perks and increasing compensation to entice workers back to the office. But they need to make coming to the office more purposeful and ‘commute worthy.’”

Is being on-site worth the commute? According to a global survey of 1,300 participants, only 28% admitted their company was making the commute worthwhile. The report also indicates that 46% of employees said their firm is not doing enough to make an office return appealing. To combat this reluctance in returning to the office, employers need to provide incentive and highlight the ways in which working in the office can optimise collaboration.

The top priorities established for 2023 include: skill-building, support for employee well-being and mental health, and a focus on talent attraction and retention – with upskilling deemed the most critical aspect of organisational success this year. Around 79% of business leaders and 83% of HR leaders said skill-based training should be utilised as a retention tool. Upskilling is essential in encouraging employees to return to on-site work.

Over half of front-liners said they were interested in in-person training with subject matter experts, while knowledge workers would like access to coaches and online courses. Similarly, surveys released in 2022 found that developmental programs, including reskilling and cross-skilling, could result in retention and internal mobility. The incentive of upskilling could significantly boost employee well-being and reduce burnout – two major factors identified in the Executive Networks survey as reasoning behind people leaving their firms.

As Rita Vanhauwenhuyse, Vice President of Customer Experience and Insights in Europe for Executive Networks, stated: “Stress and burnout have long been documented as a reason employees leave their jobs, but the lack of opportunity to learn new things and grow in their careers is also a primary driver of employees wanting to make a change.”

The Executive Networks survey notes the importance of valuing workers equally: “employers also need to provide equal opportunity for advancement and development, no matter where the work gets done.” It also concludes that hybrid working is here to stay, with companies and workers leaning towards the flexibility it allows.

Correspondingly, employees have recently shared their interest in a four-day or 32-hour work week – without a pay reduction. 56% of front-line workers and 69% of knowledge workers said they would prefer this arrangement, which is only currently offered to 29% of front-line workers and 16% front-line workers. To learn more about the four-day work week, click here.

References:

https://www.executivenetworks.com/the-2023-future-of-working-and-learning-report/

https://www.gensler.com/blog/across-the-globe-workers-want-a-hybrid-work-model

https://hrexecutive.com/proximity-bias-a-likely-reality-say-most-leaders/

https://www.linkedin.com/news/story/proximity-bias-may-hurt-hybrid-workers-5591236/

https://www.hrdive.com/news/working-on-site-isnt-worth-commute/645073/