Workers in the Capital seeking a promotion can say goodbye to remote working – London Business News | Londonlovesbusiness.com

Employees in London that are looking for a promotion can kiss goodbye to remote working, with the majority of businesses revealing that in-office attendance will impact career progression for their workforces.

That’s according to Robert Half’s 2025 Salary Guide.

According to the data – which surveyed 1,000 employees and 500 hiring managers across the UK – 73% of firms in the Capital believe that physical presence in the office significantly impacts an employee’s likelihood for promotion.

However, a quarter of workers in London revealed that they would take no action if their company made it clear that promotions require in-office attendance, preferring instead to continue to work remotely. Just 20% would look for a new job as a result.

Chris Lawton, Vice President of Permanent Placements UK & Ireland at Robert Half said, “There’s definitely a growing trend of businesses looking at ways to get people back into the office and whether intentional or not, promotions are clearly being influenced by where individuals work from.

“No-one has seemingly found the magic formula with remote, hybrid and office attendance, which is why we are continuing to see mixed reviews as brands continue to mandate office returns. However, our data suggests that some workers are simply unfazed by this, preferring instead to forgo a promotion in order to retain remote working options.

“For businesses in the Capital, growing skills shortages mean that the power remains firmly in the hands of candidates and employees. They are increasingly aware that they have more sway and influence than ever before. And many are using this knowledge to reassess what matters to them most and what they want from work as a result.

“If a quarter of Londoners aren’t worried about a promotion – and the pay rise that undoubtedly comes with it – it suggests that those companies that are using this as an incentive for recruitment and people management will need to rethink their approach.”