As with everything, you have to know how to take the benefits with the costs. This is particularly the case for teleworking. While many praise it, this new way of working, which became widespread during the health crisis, is starting to show the other side of the coin. And asks more and more questions.
And not least, since teleworking would have an impact on promotions – and thus, indirectly, on salaries. According to a study by the American company Live Data Technologies, published this month by the Wall Street Journalemployees working remotely were less promoted than those who went to their company premises.
9 out of 10 leaders favor present employees
According to the study, 5.6% of employees working full-time in an office or on a hybrid basis (telecommuting-office) received a promotion in 2023, compared to 3.9% of employees who worked remotely. And for good reason, 9 out of 10 managers say they favor employees who come to the office. Both for better assignments and salary increases.
“If you don’t show up to the office to work with the rest of your colleagues, it shows a lack of connection and a lack of accountability,” says Vineet Jain, managing director of software company Egnyte, in the Wall Street Journal.
Teleworking, a factor of “discrimination”
“There is a certain proximity bias” in the treatment of employees, explains Nick Bloom to our colleagues at Wall Street Journal. The economist at Stanford University, whose research focuses on remote work and management, does not hesitate to describe this gap as “discrimination”. In the United States, 20% of employees with a college degree still work remotely permanently, according to official figures released in December.
Discrimination of which women would be the first victims, to the extent that more of them than men work remotely. Nearly 25% compared to 20% among men, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. “Remote work can be particularly costly for young women trying to develop their skills,” notes Emma Harrington, assistant professor of economics at the University of Virginia.
Distancing, a vector of well-being at work?
Despite the difficulties encountered by many employees who have resorted to teleworking, some still choose to maintain this working method, judging that their well-being and balance take priority. Rightly so, perhaps, since teleworkers would display higher levels of general well-being.
In any case, this is what Ben Wigert, director of research at the Gallup polling institute, says, whose data reveals that 23% of remote workers say they very often or always feel exhausted at work. Compared to 28% of “hybrid” workers and 31% of employees who systematically come to the office.