If you want to get ahead in your career, get in to the office, report argues

Businesses are increasingly likely to prioritise workers willing to come into the office for pay rises and promotions, according to a new poll from Reed Group. A year ago Reed.co.uk, which deals with over 30 million job applications a year, predicted that employers would increasingly mandate days in the office and would prioritise what it called the ‘in-person premium’.

That has come to pass, with 68 per cent of the 251 companies polled by Reed now saying employees who worked in the office will go further and faster and indicating that they are encouraging people to return to the workplace.

A significant minority of workers disagrees. Of 2,000 UK workers Reed also polled, 29 per cent rejected the idea that being in the office more would lead to progression or promotion. Respondents said they typically worked three days in the office and that they preferred to spend the same amount of time working from home each week, rather than showing flexibility by varying it.

Reed predicted that the ‘in-person premium’ would become still more acute in 2025, as employers responding to a cooling jobs market made tough decisions on hiring and firing. Reed’s chairman and CEO James Reed was the first leading business figure to forecast a potential recession and warn of the impact of measures in the Budget on the jobs market, such as the increase in employers’ National Insurance contributions which will take effect in April.

Reed.co.uk’s jobs data covering the whole of 2024 highlighted the increasingly tough jobs market in the UK with job posting volumes down 24 per cent versus 2023. Over the year 95 per cent of sectors saw a decrease in job postings across all regions of the UK. However, applications were up 19 per cent.

Reed’s review of the year found that just over half of workers surveyed had had a salary review in 2024, with pay performing most strongly in ‘inflation proof’ sectors such as tech, energy and financial services.

Looking ahead to 2025, Reed’s research suggests that technology skills will be most highly-prized by employers as AI continues to transform many workplaces.

Key findings

• 51 per cent of individual respondents said they had a salary review in 2024 and of those 66 per cent said their pay was increased by up to five per cent, while 22 per cent said it increased by six to ten per cent. In comparison, the Consumer Prices Index including owner occupiers’ housing costs (CPIH) rose by 3.5 per cent in the 12 months to November 2024.
• In 2024, the weighted average salary for job posts on Reed’s website was £41,605 up from £39,973 in the prior year. Average salaries have increased 4.1 per cent YoY and 66 per cent of sectors Reed tracks saw an increase in average salary. In terms of the sectors that have advertised the best salaries over the year, the following stand out:
  • IT & Telecoms               £69,620 up 6.3 per cent YoY
  • Energy                            £57,341 up 6.5 per cent YoY
  • Financial Services         £51,757 up 8.6 per cent YoY
• The biggest obstacle workers said they faced in 2024 was the lack of promotion in companies with 24 per cent citing this ahead of managers not being supportive of their career goals, cited by 12 per cent of respondents
• In addition, although inflation has dropped markedly over the last 12 months, Reed believes that those individuals with skills and experience in technology, and in particular AI-related fields, will be able to command inflation-busting salary increases in 2025. This is backed up by Reed’s research findings which highlighted that technology skills are the most prized by employers as 44 per cent of respondents said this was the area where there was the biggest skills gap within their organisation. Likewise 34 per cent of hiring managers Reed polled didn’t believe their business was well prepared to use AI – highlighting the clear opportunity for candidates.
• 58 per cent of individuals said it was harder to find a job now than in recent years but 19 per cent said they will definitely be planning to look for a new job in 2025. As such Reed expects the market to be more recruiter-led in 2025 with its specialist insights and experience assisting candidates secure the role which is right for them.
• Workers are looking to learn a new skill to get ahead in their careers, with 29 per cent wanting to upskill or gain a qualification in 2025. The most in-demand new skills are around leadership, management and communication. Yet only 33 per cent of companies polled offer development and skills coaching.
• Despite popular perceptions, 39 per cent of workers think that making New Year career resolutions is ‘cringeworthy’, nine per cent said they hated the term “New Year – new you” while 20 per cent of respondents said they found it inspirational.

Image: Kragelj Architects