Does working from home reduce career opportunities?

The world of work has changed dramatically in recent years, and home office and hybrid work models have become the new normal for many companies. 

But with these changes come new questions: Does working from home affect career opportunities? What impact does it have on promotions and career development? In this article, we examine the advantages and disadvantages of working from home against the background of a recent study and examine whether and how the new working conditions can affect personal  careers and thus also salary.

Study: Too much home office reduces career opportunities?

Since the pandemic, hybrid work models and working from home offices have been very popular. On average, employees now work from home for around two days, in many cases three or four days, or even completely remotely. 

A new study has now examined the effects of a hybrid working model. 

For the experiment, 1,600 participants from the Chinese online travel agency Trip.com were divided into two groups: one group had to go to the office five days a week, while the other group was allowed to work from home two days a week. According to the study authors, the framework and working conditions were similar to those in European companies.

The results show that in the hybrid work group, resignation rates fell by one-third and, in return, job satisfaction increased significantly. According to the study, employees without management responsibility and commuters with long journeys to work particularly benefited from the mix of home office and office.

In addition, the study found no significant differences in performance ratings, career opportunities, or promotion rates between the groups. During the experiment, managers' views of productivity improved with hybrid work.

The stigma of working from home

However, convincing management to implement hybrid working models is not always easy. Although home offices have experienced a major upswing in recent years, there are still some prejudices surrounding working from home. One of the biggest problems is the stigma that employees working from home are less productive or less engaged than their colleagues in the office.

A common argument against working from home is the lack of visibility, which could negatively impact career opportunities. It is often argued that those who are not physically present in the office cannot make their performance and contribution to teamwork visible. In addition, networking can be more difficult because spontaneous exchanges with colleagues in the coffee shop or at meetings are no longer possible. 

A critical voice that further reinforces the stigma of working from home comes from former Trigema CEO Wolfgang Grupp, who said in 2023: “If someone can work from home, they are unimportant.” This view may have resonated in the past, but in the modern workplace, it is clearly long outdated. 

The pandemic has shown that many jobs and activities can be successfully carried out from home without productivity suffering – this is also confirmed by the study mentioned above.

Arguments for home office

There are numerous convincing arguments in favor of working from home. These benefits are of great value to both companies and employees.

Flexibility and work-life balance

A key advantage of hybrid working models is increased flexibility. Employees can better adapt their working hours to their personal needs and obligations. This means less stress from commuting and a better work-life balance. 

Flexible working hours also make it possible to make the most of productive phases while still having time for family, hobbies and relaxation. This balanced work-life balance leads to greater satisfaction and motivation – and thus instantly reduces the risk of burnout and employee turnover in the company.

Increased productivity and efficiency

Many studies show that employees who work from home a few days a week are more productive and efficient. Without the distractions of everyday office life, they can concentrate better on their tasks. The opportunity to work in a self-designed and comfortable work environment also contributes to increased productivity. With ergonomic equipment and digital tools, the home office is just as effective, if not more effective, than the traditional office.

Cost savings for companies and employees

Hybrid work also enables significant cost savings: If half of the workforce regularly works from home, companies can reduce their rental and operating costs because they require less office space. 

Expenses for utilities, office supplies and cleaning are also falling. And through dematerialization companies can save further costs. The same applies to employees, who have to spend less money on transportation, gasoline, and work clothes. These financial advantages make home office an ideal solution for both employers and employees.

Strategies to improve career opportunities while working from home

Although working from home has many advantages, many people fear disadvantages when it comes to advancing their careers. This also brings with it concerns that with fewer promotions, salaries will also stagnate. But don't worry, with a few targeted strategies, employees can improve their  career opportunities and strengthen their presence in the company, even while working from home.

The key to success in the home office is to make yourself visible despite physical absence. Therefore, use regular updates and reports to your team and superiors to share your progress and successes. Create weekly status reports or implement daily check-ins to ensure your work is noticed. 

Virtual meetings are also an excellent opportunity to actively participate and show your presence. Show your commitment by volunteering for projects and proactively contributing your ideas.

Networking is important not only in the physical world, but also digitally. Use platforms like LinkedIn to maintain contacts and make new connections. Comment on posts by colleagues or experts in the industry. Participate in webinars, virtual conferences, and online workshops to expand your expertise and grow your network. 

Communication is key. A balanced culture for hybrid work is crucial to success both in the office and from home. Desk sharing can be a great help here, because by sharing workspaces you have the opportunity to come into contact with different colleagues and build personal relationships. This promotes the exchange of ideas and strengthens the team spirit. Take advantage of the flexibility that hybrid work offers to combine the best of both worlds. 

Flexopus as a solution for hybrid working models

With Flexopus,  an app for companies to make flexible workspaces reservable, you can efficiently implement desk sharing and flexible workspace models and optimize capacity utilization in the physical office. Fewer fixed workstations mean less need for expensive desks, chairs and other furnishings. Energy consumption in the office is also reduced, which further lowers operating costs and frees up budget for the really important things.

Flexopus' desk sharing software offers intelligent booking options and integrations that allow employees to easily reserve workstations, meeting rooms, and other resources such as workstations or other items. With Smart Analytics you also receive important information to avoid vacancies and ensure that the available space is used in the best possible way. 

Conclusion: Home office and career – not necessarily a contradiction

A new study shows that hybrid work improves employee retention and satisfaction without compromising productivity or career opportunities – underscoring the importance of flexible working models in modern work environments.

However, some employees are concerned about a lack of visibility. If you want to advance your career even when working from home, simply increase your visibility by utilizing digital networking opportunities, transparently and regularly sharing your work results, and communicating effectively. This will help you create a balanced culture for hybrid work that does not compromise your career opportunities and salary development. Stay present and successful in your business even from home!