If there’s one (slim) silver lining to the pandemic years, it’s the fact that they made hybrid working more commonplace in some industries. For many, the days of being in the office full-time seem like a distant memory, with companies offering combinations of in-office and at-home work.

One recent study shows that 44% of employees prefer hybrid working. According to the ONS, only 4.7% of UK employees worked from home in 2019, but as of 2024, more than a quarter of employees do at least some work remotely. Whether it’s childcare, saving money on transport, living outside major cities or simply having time to put a load of washing on at some point in the week, there are obvious advantages to flexible working.

But with a spate of big-name employers, including Amazon, Asos and Tesco, rolling out ‘return to office’ policies in recent months, the tide on hybrid working is starting to turn for some. Plenty of employees are resistant to these changes, though, to the extent that they might put in a request for continued hybrid working. But could continuing to work from home affect career progression?

Do remote workers get promoted less? A new study suggests hybrid working could affect your chances of getting a promotion