Work trends in 2025
With mid-2024 now behind us, we are approaching 2025. Next year, the world of work will continue to undergo, as it has been doing for some time now, significant transformations, not only due to technological innovations but also to a more attentive to well-being and happiness. Here are the work trends in 2025 to monitor.
Hybrid and Remote Work
We have been accustomed to smart working for some time now. Since the 2020 pandemic (some companies even earlier), more and more people and companies are looking for full remote work. By 2025, hybrid and remote working models will have become standard practice in most companies where this is possible, and it will be in-office working that will seem strange and outdated. Certainly the COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated this process, but workers in the meantime have demonstrated that they can be as productive as, and more than, working from the office. Flexible and remote working not only saves the company various costs (bills, wi-fi, space rental, etc.) but often makes employees happier and more relaxed and, therefore, more productive. In fact, companies continue to invest in infrastructure and technologies that support remote working, thus offering greater flexibility and a more balanced balance between professional and private life.
Automation and AI at the center of productivity
Among the trends in the world of work in 2025 we certainly cannot avoid mentioning artificial intelligence. This technology, together with process automation, is increasingly radically transforming all aspects of the world in which we work and live. It is hoped that these technologies will replace repetitive tasks and will collaborate more and more with their human “colleagues”, amplifying their ability to solve problems, supporting them in making decisions and much more. Digital skills will therefore be increasingly important, and all companies should think about investing in training, literacy and retraining programs for their employees.
Employee well-being as a priority
In 2025, we won’t be able to consider employee well-being as a fringe benefit. In fact, now we understand (or, at least, we should), that employee well-being, happiness and satisfaction are an essential resource for a company to function well, be profitable and remain competitive. These aspects must, consequently, become a fundamental component of the company strategy. it is essential that companies recognize the importance of the psycho-physical health of their employees and that they therefore provide personalized wellbeing plans, flexible working hours, mental and physical health supports such as gyms, agreements with mental health professionals, etc.
Google, for example, has long since implemented a series of programs and initiatives to support the well-being of its employees, including meditation sessions and psychological assistance programs, providing an example of virtuousness for other companies who, hopefully, will want to imitate it .
Sustainability and social responsibility
Gone are the days when it was considered revolutionary for a company to declare itself “green”. Today, in fact, sustainability and corporate social responsibility are strategic imperatives for all companies, from small and very small ones to large multinationals. Both consumers and employees have become more aware of economic, social and environmental sustainability, and are demanding that companies adopt practices that have a positive impact on communities. Therefore we expect (and hope) that this will translate into a growing commitment in this sense, in order to reduce the carbon footprint, promote the circular economy, improve working conditions, respect and support the natural environment , etc. Patagonia is a leader in this sector, with its initiatives ranging from sustainable production to activism: the company has even gone as far as advising NOT to buy its products if you already have them available (more info here)
Lifelong training and learning
With rapid technological progress, the required skills are also constantly changing and growing. The paradigm, therefore, is changing: we no longer study to be able to work, but we continue to study while working. Continuous learning has become a real necessity both for workers and for companies, which if they want to remain competitive will have to promote a culture of continuous and permanent innovation and learning. This happens, for example, by offering employees more and more resources to use for training and more and more professional development opportunities. E-learning platforms and online courses have long been fundamental, and technology is making giant strides in this field too: for example, the first courses powered and personalized by AI are starting to appear.
Conclusion
As we have seen from work trends, 2025 promises to be a year of changes, improvements and evolutions in the world of work. Companies (and people) that are able to adapt to these changes and emerging trends will lead the market and will be able to attract more business and more talent. Preparing to enter 2025 will require strategic planning and a healthy dose of risk-taking, but it will certainly be worth it.