Nearly a third of UK workers believe being present in the office is rewarded when employers make promotion decisions, despite the continuing shift towards hybrid and remote working, according to new research from HR technology firm HiBob. The research found that 30 percent of workers believe office presence is rewarded in promotion decisions, the same proportion who cited revenue delivery. Visibility to senior leadership was cited by 34 percent of respondents, while 33 percent said constant availability was rewarded, suggesting employees continue to see physical and organisational visibility as important factors in career progression. (more…)

A major new study has suggested that the rapid growth of remote work since the pandemic has played a significant role in rising levels of social isolation and poor mental health among workers, although researchers stress that the findings relate primarily to fully remote work rather than hybrid arrangements. The research, published in the journal Science, analysed data from five nationally representative surveys covering almost 590,000 US workers between 2011 and 2024. According to the authors, the expansion of remote work may account for around one third of the increase in mental distress recorded over that period. (more…)

More than one in six fathers who currently work from home say they would quit their job if required to return to the office full-time, according to new research from King’s College London, which suggests employers risk losing experienced staff if they tighten office attendance policies. The report, When Fathers Work from Home, from the King’s Global Institute for Women’s Leadership, argues that remote working has become an important part of family life for many fathers, but warns that workplace cultures continue to discourage men from making full use of flexible working arrangements. (more…)