Bosses are more likely to give pay rises and promotions to employees who go into the office instead of working from home, research shows.
Nearly seven in ten companies said employees in office will go further and faster than colleagues who insist on staying at home.
James Reed, owner of recruitment giant Reed which conducted the research, warned that ‘employers are in the driving seat’ and will penalise those who do not show flexibility.
It comes amid a tough jobs market with many firms pausing hiring after Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced a £25billion increase to employer National Insurance contributions.
But despite 68 per cent of the 251 businesses surveyed saying they would reward those who went to the office, a third of employees said that working from home would not damage their career progression.
Mr Reed said: ‘Business leaders have had enough of workers insisting they want to work from home most of the time. For those wanting to secure a good job, a promotion or pay rise – our research shows that employers clearly want people back in the office.
‘With the jobs market already cooling, a situation exacerbated by the recent Budget, employers are in the driving seat and will reward those that are willing to be more flexible and penalise those that aren’t.
Bosses are more likely to give pay rises and promotions to employees who go into the office instead of working from home, research shows (stock image)
A woman working from home. Nearly seven in ten companies said employees in office will go further and faster than colleagues who insist on staying at home
A woman working on a sofa. James Reed, owner of recruitment giant Reed which conducted the research, warned that ‘employers are in the driving seat’ and will penalise those who do not show flexibility
‘For those seeking employment or advancement in the workplace, my advice is – be present.’
For example, he said, workers who are only mandated to be in the office two days per week should be there three or four times per week instead.
Research showed the number of jobs advertised in 2024 was down 24 per cent compared to the previous year. Overall, 95 per cent of sectors saw a decrease in job postings across the UK.
Meanwhile, the number of applications increased 19 per cent compared to a year earlier, meaning candidates faced tougher competition for each role.
