Remote employees worried about bias toward on-site workers: Survey

A survey commissioned by tech company Cisco suggests more managers need to lead by example, since nearly half of Canadian workers are worried that they would be viewed less favourably and lose out on promotion opportunities if they work remotely in a hybrid working model.

The chief technological officer said that's because he wants to lead by example and show his employees that there will be no preferences between someone who is working on-site or remotely in their hybrid working model.

"I won't be in the office five days a week, it's done," said Eta, who said he only comes into work one day a week at the moment, and plans to be on-site two or three days a week down the road.

"If we don't work that way, then staff are going to feel a bit pressured."

A survey commissioned by tech company Cisco suggests more managers need to lead by example, since nearly half of Canadian workers are worried that they would be viewed less favourably and lose out on promotion opportunities if they work remotely in a hybrid working model.

At the same time, 77 per cent of respondents said flexibility is a key factor that'll be part of their decision to stay with or leave a company.

Shannon Leininger, president of Cisco Canada, said the results show how important it is for employers to form a workplace culture that supports both remote and in-person workers equally.