The survey, conducted by Resume Builder, found remote workers were 24% less likely to be promoted. However, this group was equally as likely or more likely to report being more productive, happier, and less stressed than hybrid and fully in-office employees.

Key findings

Key findings from the survey included:

  • Remote workers least likely to get promotions, raises in 2023
  • Fully in-office employees report more stress and unhappiness at work
  • All three groups report similar levels of connectedness to their company, co-workers, and bosses
  • Half of fully in-office workers say they will look for a new job next year, compared to 36% of remote workers and 43% of hybrid workers
  • 92% of remote workers like their current work-location arrangement, compared to 35% of in-office workers and 69% of hybrid workers

Remote workers less likely to advance

Remote workers were the least likely group to receive promotions and raises. When remote workers did receive raises, they tended to be lower than hybrid or fully in-office workers.

“We have seen since the advent of remote work proliferating, managers have and still often struggle with how to manage this new workforce,” says Resume Builder’s chief career advisor Stacie Haller.

“This is resulting in some workers losing out on advancement and raises. Remote workers need to be more proactive when working remotely. Scheduling weekly or periodic meetings with managers to review their work and get feedback on how to achieve a promotion or higher salary is one way to make progress.”

In-office workers more likely to be unhappy

Employees who work fully in-office are struggling the most with stress and are the least happy in their current jobs. Remote workers and hybrid workers report better mental health, work-life balance, and happiness at their current job.

“Employee happiness is key to retention and a productive, thriving environment for all employees. Workers are more likely to seek out a new position if they are unhappy. They will seek out a position that better meets their needs,” says Haller.

Half of in-office workers ready to job hunt

In-office workers are more likely to say they will look for a new job next year. Additionally, this group was the least likely to say they were happy about their current work environment arrangement.

Remote workers were the least likely to say they will be job hunting next year, and the most likely to say they are happy with their current arrangement of working fully remotely.

“Remote work has provided employees more work-life balance, which is why we see that employees at companies that allow remote work are happier. Full-time office workers are the most stressed, which is likely driving them to seek out new opportunities. Now that workers can find remote positions anywhere in the country, or world, it’s easier for those who prefer to work this way to find a place that will allow them to,” says Haller.

The survey was commissioned by ResumeBuilder.com and 1190 respondents completed the full survey. The survey consisted of 417 remote workers, 567 hybrid workers, and 206 fully in-office workers.