Workplace Trends 2025: Remote, Hybrid, or Office?

As we look ahead to 2025, the way we work is still changing. Many people wonder if working from home, which became common during the pandemic, will last or if more companies will push for employees to return to the office.

Businesses are trying to find a balance between giving workers flexibility and encouraging teamwork. At the same time, employees want more freedom in how and where they work.

In this article, we examine what experts say about the new workplace trends. They’ll offer insights into the future of work—whether a remote work trend will stick around, a return to the office will become the new normal, or a hybrid model will take center stage.

Table of Contents Table of Contents

1. Key Takeaways
2. Top 6 Workplace Trends in 2025
3. The Bottom Line
4. FAQs
5. References

Show Full Guide

Table of Contents

1. Key Takeaways
2. Top 6 Workplace Trends in 2025
3. The Bottom Line
Show Full Guide
4. FAQs
5. References

Top 6 Workplace Trends in 2025

Here are six workplace trends that experts say we can expect to see in the coming year.

1. Hybrid Working Will Continue to Dominate

As a result of modern workplace trends, many companies have adopted hybrid work models, allowing employees to split their time between working from home and in the office.

Rosi Bremec, the chief operating officer of Game Lounge, predicts hybrid working will continue to dominate in 2025. She says employees want flexibility, and organizations that don’t offer it will struggle to attract and retain top talent.

“That said, I can see office spaces becoming more about collaboration hubs; places for team-building and creativity rather than the default for day-to-day work,” Bremec says. “It’s all about balance and listening to employees’ needs to do their best work.”

To that end, Game Lounge has invested heavily in tools and policies to support hybrid and remote work, she says.

“From task tracking to hot-desking systems, we’re creating an environment where flexibility is a given, not an exception.”

Mark Witschorik, managing director, and head of portfolio management at Jamestown, agrees.

Today’s workers want more than just an office — they’re looking for a space where they can collaborate and enjoy amenities that create a sense of community, he says.

“Companies like Salesforce, Dell, and more recently Amazon, are recognizing the value of in-person work and are committing to four or five days a week in the office,” he says. “I expect this trend to continue as more organizations look to capitalize on the benefits that come from being together.”

2. Work From Home: A Fading Trend

Back in 2021/2022, tech companies were competing for each tech worker, offering higher and higher benefits, according to Matt Collingwood, managing director at VIQU IT Recruitment.

“During this time, we saw amongst our clients that they were offering, on average, three and a half days WHF per week,” he says. “In this last year, with worsening economies across the world, companies have reduced their hiring and continued mass tech layoffs. During this time, we have seen companies on average only offering two days WFH per week.”

In 2025, there is no sign this will change, as many of the company’s clients are planning on enforcing more time in the office, according to Collingwood.

In the last year, VIQU worked with a large organization that enforced a greater return to the office and predicted that it would lose 3%-5% of its workforce because of this.

Collingwood told Techopedia:

“After six months, only 0.6% cited working from the office full time as their reason for leaving. If it becomes clear that workers will not resign over WFH, I expect more companies will push to enforce more employees in office in 2025 and beyond.”

In the future, if the economy gets better and tech companies invest more in their employees, workers might have a stronger chance to push more work-from-home days, he says.

“However, I do not predict this will happen in 2025,” he adds.

3. Return to Office: More Hype Than Reality

The push for return-to-office mandates has sparked widespread debate, but the data shows that the trend is not as universal as some might think, says Dave Cairns, future of work strategist at Kadence.

“While high-profile announcements from companies like Amazon and Dell grab headlines, most organizations are not following suit,” he says. “Instead, flexible and remote work models continue to dominate. Kadence data reveals that US hybrid work has settled into a rhythm of two office days per week since 2024.”

Even when companies enforce strict return-to-office policies, they often don’t get the results they want, Cairns says.

Many businesses with these rules face the same issues: poor attendance and lack of employee engagement.

“The real obstacle is not about getting people into the office; it’s giving them a compelling reason to come in,” he told Techopedia.

While companies often say that collaboration and connection are important, employees care about having choices at work, according to Cairns. Without that choice, mandates can drive talent away instead of boosting productivity or engagement.

“The trendlines suggest that remote and flexible work are here to stay,” according to Cairns. “Companies looking to improve office attendance should focus less on return-to-office mandates and more on designing workplaces that genuinely attract and support their workforce.”

4. Employee-Centric Workplaces: The Key to Success

The relationship between employees and employers is changing, says Ger Doyle, head of Experis North America. In 2024, many companies tried to enforce stricter return-to-office rules, but it became clear that workers want more than just the ability to work from different places. They are rethinking what work should be like overall.

“As we look ahead to 2025, workplace dynamics continue to evolve beyond the simple remote versus in-office debate,” he says.

“The pendulum that swung toward mandated RTO policies will likely shift again as talent competition intensifies and employees increasingly prioritize organizations that deliver comprehensive value: flexibility, purpose, well-being, and growth opportunities.”

Companies that force employees to work full-time in the office may miss out on the top talent they need to stay competitive, Doyle says.

The most successful companies in 2025 will be those that recognize hybrid work is more than just a temporary response to the pandemic, according to Doyle. Rather, it’s an important part of creating workplaces that focus on people, support mental health, promote career growth, and encourage meaningful work.

“The future of work isn’t about choosing between home or office—it’s about building adaptive workplace cultures that honor both business objectives and human needs, ultimately driving innovation and sustainable growth in the marketplace,” Doyle says.

5. AI Will Help Shape the Hybrid Workplace

The future of work is hybrid, but for people to want to come to the office, companies must rethink and redesign their workspaces to provide “seamless and immersive collaboration experiences,” according to Snorre Kjesbu, senior vice president and general manager of collaboration devices at Cisco.

Kjesbu told Techopedia:

“The process of designing and deploying collaborative workspaces will be significantly streamlined in 2025. Leaders will leverage AI to provide customized recommendations for room layouts, audio coverage, and screen visibility based on the specific needs of the organization.”

This will help businesses set up better collaboration spaces quickly and affordably, speeding up workplace changes and boosting employee productivity, Kjesbu adds.

“AI will also augment employee productivity by integrating into meeting room devices,” he notes. “By combining collaboration device technology with AI, employees will soon benefit from AI-generated ‘catch-me up’ summaries, writing assistance, action items, and more live during an in-person meeting.”

6. Employee Well-Being Takes Center Stage

Strict return-to-office mandates can harm employee engagement, job happiness, and mental health without providing major financial benefits for companies, according to Nick Taylor, CEO and co-founder of Unmind.

Taylor told Techopedia:

“Providing employees with flexibility in their work settings has been shown to have a positive impact on mental health, reducing the risk of burnout, promoting better work-life balance, and enhancing stress management.”

Employers should understand that there’s no one-size-fits-all solution for return-to-office policies, Taylor says. Instead of forcing strict rules, they should look for ways to make the in-person work environment more engaging so that employees actually want to be there.

“This could include redesigning the office space to foster connections, collaboration, and teamwork, and curating events that encourage relationship-building,” he says.

Taylor notes that employers should assess their office spaces and talk to employees to ensure that the in-person experience meets their needs and preferences before requiring employees to return to the office.

The Bottom Line

The future workplace trends in 2025 will likely be a mix of remote and in-office arrangements as companies try to balance flexibility with teamwork.

Some businesses may stick with remote work, while others focus on bringing people back together. The key will be listening to employees, staying open to change, and creating workplaces where people can do their best.

One thing seems like a sure bet: the way we work will keep changing, and flexibility will play a big role in shaping it.

FAQs