Remote workers in Australia fear missing out on promotions
NEW SOUTH WALES, AUSTRALIA — Remote employees in Australia are increasingly concerned that working from home will hurt their chances of earning promotions compared to colleagues who work in the office, according to a new survey.
The survey by McCrindle found that 67% of hybrid workers have a “sneaking suspicion” that on-site staff are being given preferential treatment and better opportunities. About half of office workers (54%) and remote workers (49%) believe that being physically present in the office boosts career prospects.
Overall, 59% think that in-office employees benefit more than remote workers simply because of where they work. Many remote staff feel overlooked and marginalized, leading to a phenomenon dubbed “video conference FOMO”.
Mark McCrindle, Principal of McCrindle, coined the term “superiofficey” to describe a feeling of superiority amongst on-site workers over home-based colleagues. He notes that a social divide has emerged between remote and in-office workers.
“It’s clear [that] workers are delineating socially between those who work from home and those commuting,” he said.
The McCrindle data comes after a global study by law firm Herbert Smith Freehills revealed executives plan to cut pay and benefits for permanent remote staff in the next few years.
