Scots can kiss goodbye to remote working if they want that promotion

- 61% of employers in Scotland are more likely to give promotions to employees that are present in the office
- Almost a quarter (22%) of workers value remote working more than a promotion, while 20% would look for a new job

Scottish staff that want a promotion can kiss goodbye to remote working, with the majority of businesses in the country 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 – 61% of Scottish businesses believe that physical presence in the office significantly impacts an employee’s likelihood for promotion.

However, 22% 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% would look for a new job as a result.

Reggie McMahon, Branch Director, Scotland, at Robert Half commented:

“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. 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.”


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Press contact
Vickie Collinge
vickie@bluesky-pr.com
01582 790705

About the research
The Robert Half 2025 UK Salary Guide provides information on starting salaries, hiring trends, popular jobs, and other market insights. Non-salary data referenced in the Salary Guide is based on an online survey developed by Robert Half and conducted by an independent research firm. During June and July 2024 Robert Half commissioned research amongst 1,500 respondents using an online data collection methodology. The respondents represent 500 hiring managers and 1,000 workers in finance and accounting, IT and technology, administrative and office support, marketing and creative, and the financial services industry. Respondents are drawn from a sample of SMEs to large private, publicly listed and public sector organisations across the UK.
About Robert Half

Robert Half (NYSE: RHI) is the world’s first and largest specialised talent solutions and business consulting firm, connecting highly skilled job seekers with rewarding opportunities at great companies. We offer contract talent and permanent placement solutions in the fields of finance and accounting, technology, marketing and creative, legal, and administrative and customer support, and we also provide executive search services. Robert Half is the parent company of Protiviti, a global consulting firm that delivers internal audit, risk, business and technology consulting solutions. In the past 12 months, Robert Half, including Protiviti, has been named one of the Fortune® Most Admired Companies™ and 100 Best Companies to Work For and a Forbes Best Employer for Diversity. Explore talent solutions, research and insights at www.roberthalf.com/gb/en.