Workplace Predictions for 2025

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by Rebecca Lister | 12th Dec 2024

‘Top 5 Workplace Trends’

The workplace is something that is constantly evolving. Whether due to employment law changes, technological developments or changes in society, it can be a difficult task for business leaders to keep up to date with all the developments. With the new year approaching, here are our top 5 workplace predictions for 2025.

Hybrid working – dealing with flexible working requests

In recent years, the world of work has seen the rise of hybrid working and this is set to remain in 2025. There is a growing preference amongst employees for flexible working arrangements, with many looking for businesses that offer the opportunity for a mixture of remote work and in-office working.

For many, flexibility is a way for people to adapt their working practices to best reflect their lifestyles and can have positive effects on their productivity and wellbeing. However, knowing how to deal with an influx of flexible working requests can be difficult.

Make sure that you have a clear understanding of the law around current statutory flexible working requests and also the changes introduced in the new Employment Rights Bill 2024 that will come into effect sometime soon.

Adapting to a distributed workforce

Following on from hybrid working, adapting to a distributed workforce will be something that employers will undoubtedly need to continue to navigate. With advancing technologies, you may find your diverse workforce based geographically.

This approach offers significant benefits, such as access to a global talent pool, but it can also present challenges and raise logistical concerns. However, ensuring you have the appropriate technology in place to deal with the demands of a distributed workforce is key to making sure that your organisation can thrive- wherever your workers may be.

Employees should however be mindful that under their employment contracts they may still have to come into the workplace at any time, either for work or training. As the work address is likely to remain their primary work location, employees should demonstrate flexibility in coming into the office as employers are with their requests.

Further prioritisation of Employee wellbeing

Employee wellbeing has long been a hot topic and in recent years there has been a move towards greater prioritisation of employee’s mental health and wellbeing. With changes coming to flexible working and greater focus on employee rights, it is likely that 2025 will be a big year for staff wellbeing.

For more information on this read our article Employee Wellness and Wellbeing which provides helpful guidance on how you can best support your employees in the new year.

Employee’s and care-giving responsibilities

In recent years, there has been a rise in employees with caring responsibilities. All ages, genders; any one of your employees may have care-giving responsibilities. Last year, it was reported that 51% of employees felt that their career had been negatively affected by caring responsibilities.

Employers should look to be mindful of your employees’ caring responsibilities and how this may impact their performance and wellbeing. Having support in place can help to improve morale, reduce stress and maintain productivity.

Artificial Intelligence

AI and automation are areas that are rapidly improving and have the potential to greatly change the workplace. Many employers are already looking at ways in which AI tools can be used to improve companies.

However, if you are looking to introduce this technology, you should have clear guidelines and guidance in place to ensure you are not putting your company or any clients at risk.

Looking forward to next year

As we look ahead to 2025, it’s clear that the workplace will continue to undergo a significant shift, driven by evolving roles, emerging skills, and a deeper focus on employee experience.

HR leaders will play a crucial role in shaping this transformation, fostering a culture that not only embraces innovation but also prioritises the work-life balance and wellbeing of their teams.

By creating environments where employees feel supported and valued, businesses can cultivate high-performance teams that are ready to tackle the challenges of the future of work.

For many workers, this period of change represents an opportunity to upskill and take on new roles that may not have existed even a few years ago. Managers will need to guide their teams through this transition, offering clear insights into how their skills can align with broader organisational plans.

By fostering open communication and encouraging collaboration, organisations can ensure that employees feel empowered to seize these opportunities while remaining aligned with company goals.

While we are yet to have our workplace predictions confirmed for 2025 for careers and work environments, we at Eclipse HR are excited for whatever the new year shall bring. If you require any employment related assistance, our HR experts are well equipped to help you navigate the challenges of modern work practices.

Please feel free to explore our website to learn more about the services we provide and how we can best support you and your company or get in touch to talk to a member of our team today!