The Top Five Trends Shaping Work in 2025
The world of work continues to change. From the rise of AI and remote work to the growing importance of employee well-being, the trends shaping the future of work are transforming how businesses operate and how employees engage with their roles. In this article, we explore the top five trends that are set to define the workplace in 2025.
Flexible Work is Here to Stay
Almost overnight, the COVID-19 pandemic dramatically changed the way we work. Remote or hybrid working, flexible start/finish times, and adjusting the workday around the needs of family quickly became the norm in many organisations. Five years on, these flexible working practices are here to stay. Over 95% of employees say they want flexible working practices, with one in three Australians saying it’s a must-have in their role.
Well-designed flexible working practices are also benefiting employers. Randomised Control Trials show that employees who have access to flexible working practices are more productive compared to their peers in the same organisation. They also report higher levels of overall well-being and work-life balance.
Leadership Redefined
The shift away from traditional ‘command and control’ autocratic models of management will continue in 2025, with organisations upskilling their leaders with a more diverse range of capabilities aligned with long-term goals. Leaders will become strategic coaches and role models who develop, empower, and support their teams to achieve outcomes. Organisations that invest in their leadership in 2025 will enjoy improved bottom-line performance through lower turnover, increased employee engagement, and enhanced creativity.
Working Smarter, Not Harder
Organisations are increasingly looking for ways to do more with less, placing sustained demand on employees. Alarmingly, this trend has resulted in 61% of Australians reporting experiencing burnout in their role, significantly above the global average of 48%. The resulting absenteeism, turnover, and decreased productivity cost Australian businesses and the economy $14 billion in 2024.
61% of Australians report experiencing Burnout in their role, an alarming 27% above the global average.
In 2025, organisations will need to think differently about how to get the most out of their people. Leading organisations will focus on optimising their structure, systems, and processes to remove unnecessary demands on their people and provide them with the tools for success. This will include redesigning jobs, upskilling leaders, and empowering employees to make changes that make their roles more efficient.
Getting Deliberate About Professional Development
The World Economic Forum estimates that over 1.1 billion jobs will be radically transformed by technology in the next decade. To keep pace with these changes, organisations need to identify and develop the knowledge and skills their workforce will require to adapt and deliver on long-term strategic objectives.
Annual performance reviews will become a thing of the past, replaced with regular individualised coaching/feedback and professional programs based on competency frameworks aligned with the organisation’s strategy. These programs will help organisations attract and retain talent, build employee engagement, and ensure they can embrace the opportunities presented by technological developments.
Redefining Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives are not new but will take on a different role in driving an organisation's success in 2025. Organisations will expand their definition of inclusion to encompass a broad range of perspectives and experiences, moving DEI from a corporate social responsibility initiative to a key pillar of their sustained competitive advantage. By recruiting and amplifying a more diverse range of voices, organisations will improve creativity, collaboration, psychological safety, and employee engagement.
If you would like to know more about how these trends will shape your organisation in 2025, and how you can maximise the performance of your people, get in contact with our team of experts for an obligation-free chat.