Oregon Remote Workers Risk Being Passed Over for Promotions, Career Expert Warns

A career expert cautions Oregon’s remote workers who have fully embraced the benefits of remote work that there are risks, including the risk of missing out on being promoted.

Oregon Remote Workers Could Be Missing Out On Getting Promoted

Career expert Amanda Augustine of career.io, an all-in-one platform for career guidance and success, says remote workers risk being passed over for promotions- simply because they’re not physically present.

They could also remain blissfully unaware of even informal, impromptu planning conversations where input often leads to opportunities.

Augustine says that while hybrid work was meant to offer the best of both worlds, it could also be quietly holding some professionals back.

She identified Oregonians who’ve embraced the remote side of the equation a bit too fully as potentially running the risk of being out of sight AND out of mind, being passed over when promotions or high-visibility projects crop up.

How To Avoid Being Passed Over For Promotion As A Remote Worker

Augustine advises Oregon professionals to be more intentional about how they maintain visibility, especially those who’ve settled into a mostly remote rhythm. Younger workers may be hit hardest and are most at risk of slipping through the cracks.

Being good at your job is only part of the equation. Make sure people know about it, too, even from behind your screen. Augustine gives these tips to avoid being passed over for promotion as a remote worker:

Performance vs Presence: In an office, people naturally notice your work, but in a remote environment, this goes unnoticed. To offset this gap, find natural ways to share your wins and ensure your efforts are visible without bragging.

Loop your manager in when something goes well: Send a quick Slack message to recap a success, or proactively share updates during check-ins.

Make Face Time Count: Be strategic about your in-office days by aligning your office time with when your boss or key stakeholders will be there.

Meet with your colleagues: Schedule a coffee catch-up with a colleague or stay a little longer after a meeting to connect informally. Meaningful relationships are often built between the meetings, not during them.

Build In-House Allies: Trusted colleagues who are regularly on-site and can help keep you connected to the water cooler chatter and keep your name top of mind when you’re not there.

Deliberately share your success: A short message in the team chat, a quick weekly or monthly recap for your manager, or highlighting positive feedback you received to keep your role visible.

Employers Also Have a Role to Play: Oregon-based employers must also be aware of proximity bias- and take active steps to prevent it. She suggests that leadership teams audit their promotion and project assignment data and assess whether remote employees are being unintentionally overlooked.

Career.io urges hybrid workers to think of visibility as a skill – one that can be practiced and refined over time. Augustine said, “Treat it like part of your job. Because it is.”