Is proximity bias affecting your chance of promotion?

Previously, remote working, or working from home, was either impossible, frowned upon, or seen as shirking responsibilities. Now, with advances in technology and flexible working hours, WFH is no longer taboo. For many, even with the pandemic behind us, setting up a laptop in your front room and logging on in pyjamas is perfectly normal. But is proximity bias holding you back?

What is proximity bias?

Put simply, proximity bias favours those workers who've decided to come back to the office and are in the building, close to managers and senior executives. Visible and present, office workers have a huge advantage over home workers just by being there in person, rather than at the end of the phone or on a screen. 

How does proximity bias affect promotions? 

Communication is much more comfortable face-to-face so, when it comes to getting promoted at work, if the manager can see you right there in front of them, they're more likely to choose you.

Proximity bias is a natural human reaction. We're social creatures. We crave interaction. If two members of staff are at the same level, but one is in the office and the other has taken advantage of working from home on a regular basis, the natural instinct is to lean towards the staff member that you see physically.

That's not to say it's fair – it isn't. But it's a truth that may negatively impact or not improve your job prospects at all.

Examples of proximity bias 

Let’s look at an example of how proximity bias might play out in real life. 

A Sales Director needs someone to replace a Sales Manager who has recently left the business. Rosie and Jim both apply for the role. Jim has been working from home since 2020, but Rosie returned to the office as soon as the pandemic allowed. 

Rosie is awarded the promotion, as the Sales Director sees her as the safer choice. She is in the office every day and he can see her working her full hours, contributing, and staying highly focused in meetings. He doesn’t know Jim as well, so has less confidence in his contribution – even though his work is always done properly.

Is a return to office necessary to get promoted?

With a recent report sharing that 14% of employees in the UK work exclusively from home and 26% work in a hybrid set-up, proximity bias could be affecting a huge proportion of the working population.

For sure, the advantages of remote work are plenty but, with return-to-office mandates regularly hitting headlines, working from home may not feel like the right choice for your career. With a bit of time and effort, however, you won’t need to give up your slippers and school runs just yet.  

How to overcome proximity bias

What if you’re not ready to return to the office? You might be saving significant amounts on the daily commute, or have discovered that you get so much more done at home. 

But if you aren't treated fairly, or in the same way as colleagues on a similar level, you may be discriminated against. How can you make sure you aren't overlooked when it comes to being promoted?

• Get involved – make it known you’re available during the day, even if you're not actually in the office. A quick catch-up with colleagues or managers at the beginning or end of the day can make a world of difference.

• Schedule a virtual coffee break – it only needs to be five minutes and it might be worth concentrating on connecting with those colleagues or superiors with whom you don't spend as much time.

• Actively participate in meetings – ensure you're included in all relevant meetings, then make your voice heard. This is where technology can either make or break you, so make sure you have a professional, working set-up. 

• Set up or suggest a buddy scheme – this pairs a remote worker with one in the office for mutual support and mentorship opportunities, providing much-needed collaboration and connections.

• Track your outputs – tracking your accomplishments, from positive client feedback to big project wins, will enable you to demonstrate that you’re still delivering results, wherever you are. A record of your successes will also come in handy when you’re writing a CV for that promotion! 

Preventing proximity bias in a hybrid workplace

With new research from TopCV citing that only 7% of UK workers prioritise returning to the office, it looks like hybrid working is here to stay. You may not be there all the time, but you can make the time you are there work in your favour. Try these tips:

• Vary your in-office days – that way, you’ll cross paths with colleagues who have a different working pattern to you.

• Check in with others – make time to chat, share updates, and stay informed.

• Share your WFH successes – make sure that managers are briefed on what you achieve on your remote-working days, so that they know you’re being productive at work rather than slacking. 

Move on up

If working from home works for you, there’s no need for your career to suffer. Make WFH work in your favour. It's good to know that many leaders now recognise proximity bias as an issue and are taking steps to ensure fair opportunities for all workers, whether they're in the office or working remotely.

Keen to grab that promotion opportunity? Optimise your chances by taking advantage of our free CV review and make sure your documents are in tip-top condition with the help of TopCV's experts.

This article was originally written by Elizabeth Openshaw and has been updated by Jen David.

Recommended reading: 

• How to show promotions on a CV (with examples)

• 6 powerful remote worker skills you need to land the job

• 16 small ways to get ahead in the workplace