Remote working is on the rise. It is a work form that has been attributed with both positives and negatives in comparison to the traditional on-site work. A previously unexplored aspect of remote working is how career progression of employees maybe affected by this work form. This study investigates career progression in the remote working context, specifically how both subordinates and managers perceive this aspect, in comparison to on-site work.
The study is based on a qualitative method approach, with data collection from 14 semi-structured interviews, including subordinates and managers selected through purposive sampling. A thematic template analysis was used to analyze the collected data.
The results show a general perception from subordinates that remote working hinders career progression in terms of recognition from management and the chances for promotions, while other aspects connected to a more modern career view, such as well-being, flexibility, and job-satisfaction, is perceived to been hanced. The managers expressed the same perceptions, resulting in the conclusion that the general perception is that remote workers need to spend at least some time on-site to be able to reach a comprehensive career progression.