Do Hybrid Workers Get Left Behind? Long-Term Career Development in a Remote-First UK Workplace
Ever feel like you're doing a cracking job from your kitchen table but still being overlooked for promotions by someone who's always in the office microwaving fish? You're not alone. As hybrid working becomes the new normal in the UK, many workers are wondering if career progression is still about who’s best at their job, or just who’s most visible.
Let’s brew a strong coffee and dig into it.
Career Progression, The Old School Way
Back in the good old pre-pandemic days, career growth often came from being seen. That meant turning up, staying late, and catching your boss for a quick chinwag by the lift. Watercooler moments, impromptu chats, and sheer desk presence all played a role in getting you noticed.
It wasn’t always fair, but it was familiar.
The Hybrid Shift: Flexibility vs Visibility
Now, with more of us splitting our weeks between home, office, and occasionally a decent coffee shop with Wi-Fi that doesn’t drop every five minutes, the rules have changed.
According to the Office for National Statistics, as of late 2024, 28% of UK workers are hybrid. That’s a lot of people juggling teams calls and loading the dishwasher between meetings.
And while the flexibility is a win, many hybrid workers say they’re being passed over for promotions. One study found those working from home are 7% less likely to get promoted and 9% less likely to get a pay rise. Not ideal.
(If you're wondering whether working from home is actually saving you money, spoiler alert, we ran the numbers.)
Career Climbing in Slippers, What’s Holding Hybrid Workers Back?
Let’s be honest here, there are a few things tripping up hybrid and remote workers:
Out of sight, out of mind. Managers may unconsciously favour those they see more often.
Missed mentorship. It’s hard to build rapport over Slack.
No spontaneous exposure. You’re not bumping into the director in the lift if you’re WFH in your pyjamas.
And for women and younger workers, it can be even trickier. Studies suggest women working from home regularly are less likely to get promoted. And a third of millennials say they’ve missed out on opportunities simply by not being in the office.
So What Can You Do About It?
You don’t need to drag yourself back into the office full-time. But you do need to play the game a bit.
Show your work. Not in a smug way, just make sure people know what you’re doing. A regular end-of-week summary email can work wonders.
Book those check-ins. Don’t wait for your manager to ask how you’re getting on. Be proactive.
Find a mentor. Even if it’s virtual. Someone a few rungs above can help you map your next step.
Stay visible. Cameras on (when it makes sense), speak up in meetings, and don’t be afraid to share wins in team chats.
We’ve got more tips in our remote time management guide if you're feeling the pressure.
What Employers Should Be Doing (But Often Aren’t)
Employers, if you're reading this: your hybrid staff shouldn’t have to work twice as hard just to be seen!
Standardise performance metrics. Base progression on output, not office presence.
Offer remote-friendly mentoring and training. If your L&D programmes are only run in meeting rooms, you’re doing it wrong.
Audit your promotions. If everyone moving up is office-based, ask why.
The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) has some good resources on making hybrid work equitable. Worth a look if you’re serious about it.
Final Thoughts: Flexibility Shouldn’t Cost You a Career
Hybrid working is here to stay, and thank goodness. But it can’t come at the cost of long-term progression. Workers need to make themselves seen, and employers need to stop rewarding proximity over performance.
Whether you’re working from home, a coworking space, or your favourite coffee shop, you deserve a clear path forward.
Speaking of which, if you're thinking about swapping the spare room for a flat white and a good plug socket, here’s our take on working from home vs coffee shops for productivity.
Keep working smart, wherever you are, but remember to stand out!
