The Future of Work in 2025: Key Trends to Watch

As the year is coming to a close, it presents the perfect opportunity to explore what workplace trends will be taking the lead in 2025. From addressing employee needs to discovering innovative work methods and re-evaluating regular business operational practices.

This year, we have seen many companies shift to creating a strong online presence through the use of platforms such as TikTok and taking part in emerging trends. Not only has this had great success for many businesses, but it has enabled them to connect with their consumers in a new, unique, and personal manner.

Another key trend from 2024 is the continuation of discussions surrounding hybrid working. Whilst this has added valuable time into everyone’s daily life, companies wonder if professionals would be more productive in an office environment. Spotify has decided to keep their employees remote working whilst Asda is pushing for their workforce to return to the office.

We look forward to seeing how these trends from this year, along with many others, continue to emerge throughout the start of 2025. Below, we will explore our top three workplace themes that we expect to see taking over offices like yours throughout the next year!  

Continued Focus on Holistic Wellbeing Support and Initiatives

Providing a strong benefits package makes employees feel valued and encourages their loyalty to your organisation. Employees who experience great wellbeing in the workplace are 3 times more likely to stay as well as go the extra mile in their work (5), proving that investment in employee benefits which cater to mental, physical and financial wellbeing are now considered a non-negotiable for professionals.

This year, a study by People Insight found that 67% of employees feel their business is doing enough to support health and wellbeing at work (6), whilst this result is good, it still shows there is much room for improvement. Another survey by Gympass also revealed that ‘employee wellbeing is a top priority for today’s global workforce, with 96% of employees actively seeking employers who prioritise wellbeing. In the UK, 88% of employees now consider wellbeing as equally important as salary’ (7). Both of these studies indicate that there are clear expectations for companies to provide support for all aspects of their employees' lives.

We expect throughout 2025, the companies that take their time to research and implement a diverse range of wellbeing benefits will be the ones that have a content, motivated team. Ultimately this will result in a great work culture as well as a more efficient and productive workforce. We recommend considering benefits which can be personal, easily accessible, and cater to the three elements of wellbeing.

Not only will investing in holistic benefits empower your people, but in the long run, it can also save your business money, time, and resources. The effects of poor mental health cost employers around £51bn a year. However, for every £1 spent on supporting employees, employers get back nearly £4.70 on their investment in terms of improved productivity (8). Likewise, it is estimated that £138bn a year is lost due to poor physical health caused by absence and its impact on productivity at work (9).

Overall boosting your business’s retention, productivity and satisfaction rates.

Implementing 4 Day Work Weeks

It is no secret that ‘UK workers put in some of the longest full-time working hours across Europe, yet the longer hours worked are not translating into increased productivity’ (1), that’s why we believe more workplaces across the country will begin to implement four-day working weeks. To some, a five-day working week puts immense stress on their mental wellbeing, work-life balance as well as motivation in the workplace.

It has already been proven through numerous trials of a four-day workweek that it can have a profound effect on employee motivation and wellbeing. Out of the studies conducted recently, 92% of companies who tested this concept have decided to implement it (2). In addition to this, 39% of participants from the UK in the world’s longest trial reported being less stressed, and the number of sick days taken dropped by nearly two-thirds (3).

Not only has this new schedule had a clear positive impact on workforces across the world, but the standard and efficiency of work have also greatly improved. Proving this change benefits businesses and their people alike. A great example of this is PeopleFinderFree, which implemented a four-day work week and noticed a 40% boost in productivity as well as significant cost savings on office expenses such as electricity and printing (4).

The benefits of this modern work schedule can be easily seen by everyone involved in an organisation who adopts this practice. That’s why we believe this new way of working will continue to be taken by companies worldwide. Making this change will not only affect a business’s expenses and output, but their people can experience these great wellbeing benefits beyond the workplace, enhancing their personal lives for the better. The question is: Will your company embrace this trend, or will you move in the opposite direction by reducing hybrid work-from-home days?

Increase in the Use of AI within the Workplace

This year, we have seen AI break through all aspects of life in full force. From software such as ChatGPT to AI videos and their use in day-to-day administration processes. We believe AI will continue to emerge into new and efficient systems or software that will help save valuable time and resources whilst becoming a more autonomous tool.

One predicted advantage of AI as it continues to evolve is the opportunity for employees to take on more forward-thinking tasks since new software or systems should be able to handle mundane day-to-day work (10). This could empower professionals to be more resourceful and creative in their role, by creating time to consider new areas for development within your business. Not only will this bring a sense of fulfilment to your workforce, but it could also push your company to new horizons.
Whilst AI has been an upcoming force throughout 2024, it is currently not trusted to conduct tasks autonomously. However, 77% of workers say they will eventually have complete trust in AI to work alone (11). Once AI has reached the point of working alone to complete everyday tasks for businesses, we believe that it will be implemented into as many processes as possible within organisations across all industries across the world. Due to the popularity of AI, we predict that there will be big breakthroughs in its capabilities throughout 2025.

Since AI is becoming more prevalent in every aspect of work, such as processing or designing, we expect that more professionals will be given training opportunities to understand how to use this upcoming technology effectively. A study from Ipsos found that only one in two workers have currently been given the opportunity to do this (12). We expect that this number will significantly rise throughout 2025, empowering businesses and their workforce alike to reach an improved productivity and efficiency rate.

Overall, the development of AI creates exciting opportunities for the workplace to focus on the bigger picture rather than being consumed by repetitive processes or admin. As it continues to evolve, we expect that employees will become more trusting of this upcoming technology as well as receive new training opportunities to gain a better understanding of how it can be utilised.

How Each Person Can Help:

Ensuring your business shines as a highly desirable place to work stems from the opportunities you can offer your employees both professionally and beyond. Our bespoke employee benefits platform/app offers unique perks that cater to mental, physical and financial wellbeing. Your benefits should be as diverse as the people you work with; that’s why our collection of salary sacrifices, exclusive discounts and benefit options guarantee to support everyone in your organisation, regardless of age, location or interests, there will be a selection of perks for them to enjoy!

Never miss any work anniversaries or birthdays again for each individual employee with our automated milestones feature. Reduce administrative tasks for HR whilst offering unmatched personal rewarding opportunities to your workforce. Allocate Epoints for each specific number of years an employee has remained loyal to your business or for a birthday celebration and enable them to pick out a reward from hundreds of leading retailers on our Each Person shop.

It’s not just about the rewards you can offer a professional, their job satisfaction can also be greatly improved by recognising their tireless efforts or exciting news. Boost recognition culture with our Ecard feature, hosting a complete collection of fun designs for all occasions. Whether it’s for a task well done, a life event or even just a simple thank you. The best part? Everyone in your business can get involved in recognising one another regardless of whether they work in the office, at home or in another country. Our dedicated designers can create Ecards bespoke to your business or you can even upload your own.

Make 2025 an exciting year for your workforce by booking a demo with our experts below:

https://www.eachperson.com/contact

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