Proximity bias – A cognitive troublemaker in modern workspaces
It basically happens when managers favour those who work in the office due to their immediate availability over those who are remotely located. This accidental favouritism further leads to loss of opportunities, low morale and isolation for remote workers.
To prevent this bias from disrupting workspace harmony, it’s important to understand how it harms the diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) efforts of the organisation and the kind of strategies leaders can take to bridge the communication gap between in-office and remote workers.
Proximity bias: What is it and how it impacts employees
Giving more clarity around the term and its increasing prevalence, Subramanyam Sreenivasaiah, Founder & CEO AscentHR, says proximity bias refers to the tendency of people to preferentially value and trust those who are physically closer to them. It’s more prevalent in hybrid and remote work setups because physical distance reduces face-to-face interactions and informal conversations that often influence perceptions and decisions.
Elaborating further, he says, industries such as technology, finance and creative fields — where collaboration and brainstorming are critical — may experience higher levels of proximity bias. Similarly, roles that require frequent interaction with leadership or decision-makers — such as project management, client-facing positions and sales roles — might also be more prone to this bias.
In his opinion, proximity bias can have significant negative impacts on employee morale and career advancement. To
