According to new figures, seven in ten bosses are more likely to promote people who are in the office every day.
Research has found that 68 percent of companies promote staff members based on their physical presence in the workplace rather than how well they do their job.
Bosses from both the public and private sectors and from small and large organizations said being physically present was key to getting promoted.
But nearly three-quarters of employees, 73 percent, said they perform better if they are allowed to work from both home and the office, known as hybrid working.
Recruitment specialist Robert Half asked 500 UK bosses whether being physically present in the office significantly improved career prospects and 1,000 UK employees whether they worked better at home or in the office.
Seven in ten bosses are more likely to promote people who are in the office every day, according to new figures (file photo)
Chris Lawton, vice president of permanent placements in the UK and Ireland at the company, 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 increasing value on staff being physically present in the office, and our data suggests
That career progression could be hampered for those who wish to continue with a hybrid setup.
‘But we cannot overlook the fact that power is still largely in the hands of the workforce.
‘Skills shortages are widespread and if workers are made to feel like they can’t progress because they aren’t in the office every day, they will simply move on.
‘And most of the time it will be the best or the most sought after professionals who will jump ship first.
Research has found that 68 per cent of companies promote staff members based on their physical presence in the workplace rather than how well they do their job (file photo).
“Employers and employees apparently disagree on what an optimal setup should look like.”
Employees in the creative and marketing industries are more likely to be promoted for showing up, and 71 percent of bosses say being present is important.
Another 70 percent of bosses said the same of administrative and customer service staff, followed by 67 percent of those in financial services, 66 percent of those in technology and IT and 64 percent of those in the public sector and accounting.
Small and medium-sized companies are more likely to promote people for being present: 70 percent of bosses at companies with fewer than 250 people say being in the office is important and another 70 percent of bosses at companies with between 50 and 250 people say the same.
Another 68 percent of heads of companies with 250 to 500 employees echoed this view, followed by 64 percent of companies employing more than 500 people.