Robert Half’s 2025 Salary Guide suggests that Scottish staff who want a promotion should not engage in remote working. The majority of businesses in the country have revealed that in-office attendance will impact career progression for their workforces.
According to the data – which surveyed 1,000 employees and 500 hiring managers across the UK – 61 per cent of Scottish businesses believe that physical presence in the office significantly impacts an employee’s likelihood for promotion.
However, 22 per cent of Scots revealed that they would take no action if their company suggested that promotions require in-office attendance, preferring instead to continue to work remotely. Just 20 per cent would look for a new job as a result.
“While business leaders clearly place value on in-office attendance when it comes to career development in their workforces, it would appear that staff themselves value flexibility over promotions,” says Reggie McMahon, Branch Director, Scotland, at Robert Half. “We are still in a core transition period where the right balance for all is being defined, but it is key that employers are mindful of the tough labour market that we are still facing. Skills shortages remain rife, and firms that aren’t recognising what it is that workers want, will lose out in the war for talent both now, and in the immediate future.”
