Remote workers miss out on promotions, but happier — U.S. survey
CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES — A recent survey by Resume Builder found that remote employees are 24% less likely to get promotions and raises compared to in-office staff, though they report greater job satisfaction.
Resume Builder surveyed 1,190 full-time employees across remote, hybrid, and fully in-office work arrangements in the United States and found that 42% of remote workers received a promotion this year, versus 55% of employees working on-site full-time. Hybrid workers fared better at 54%.
Similarly, only 41% of remote staff got a 10% or higher raise, while 50% of in-office and hybrid workers did.
“Remote workers need to be more proactive when working remotely,” said Resume Builder’s Chief Career Advisor Stacie Haller.
“Scheduling weekly or periodic meetings with managers to review their work and get feedback on how to achieve a promotion or higher salary is one way to make progress.”
Some employees previously expressed different opinions on remote work’s effect on careers while others admitted they fear missing out on promotions. Meanwhile, New York University professor Suzy Welch warned that remote work may limit Gen Z’s career growth.
Despite missing out on career advancement and better compensation, remote employees indicated higher job satisfaction.
Only 8% of remote workers rated their mental health as “poor or terrible,” compared to 11% of on-site staff. Thirty percent of remote employees also said they were “very stressed,” while 43% of full in-office staff reported the same.
While advancement prospects proved lower, 92% of remote staff were content with their work-from-home arrangements versus just 35% of office-based personnel.
The survey also showed in-office employees were most likely to seek new positions next year, with half stating intentions to job hunt in 2024.
“Remote work has provided employees more work-life balance, which is why we see that employees at companies that allow remote work are happier. Full-time office workers are the most stressed, which is likely driving them to seek out new opportunities,” says Haller.
