At the start of every year, we are flooded with articles, reports, studies, and more predicting the future of work trends for the year. To make your life easier, we have “taken one for all the global teams” and organized them into one easy-to-read list.
From Gartner to Korn Ferry, Fast Company to Forbes… Here is the DEFINITIVE list of Future of Work Trends for the year 2025.
Recently Gartner released their Top 9 Future of Work Trends. Let’s take a look at their 9 trends below.
Companies are running low on experts as many experienced workers approach retirement. Add to that, technologies are making it harder for beginners to build the skills they need.
This year many businesses will shake things up to work better. They’ll rethink how they’re set up to be quicker and more flexible, keeping up with the fast-changing tech and finding new ways to be efficient and innovative.
Nudgetech, a set of AI tools, helps teams communicate better. It bridges the gap between different cultures and age groups, making collaboration easier in busy global workplaces.
People are warming up to AI tools for performance reviews, seeing them as fairer and less biased than traditional methods.
As AI becomes a bigger part of getting work done, companies must figure out what’s real talent and what’s AI magic. It’s a reminder to set clear rules to keep things fair and honest at work.
Leading companies are making diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) a key part of their game plan. They know that diverse teams make smarter decisions when everyone feels included and spark more innovation.
Jumping into AI without a plan can make work harder, not easier. That’s why it's key to match AI projects with your company’s goal to get the most out of them.
Loneliness is becoming a big deal for employee performance and engagement. Companies are starting to see it as a problem and are finding ways to help employees feel more connected and supported.
Employees are speaking up about how AI should be used at work, setting the bar for what’s ethical and practical. They’re playing a big role in making sure AI is used responsibly.
In late December, Forbes published an article focusing on the trends that will shape the future of work. Here is a summary of its key learnings.
The hybrid work model poses challenges, balancing office and remote work while meeting managers' expectations with employee preferences. Success lies in building trust, flexibility, and productivity. Leaders must embrace new skills and technologies to enhance team cohesion, efficiency, and innovation while promoting culture and connections.
Human-AI collaboration is essential to improving decision-making, eliminating biases, and enhancing employee experiences. AI helps leadership by automating tasks, optimizing processes, and enabling faster data-driven decisions. Agile methods will complement AI, building adaptable, efficient teams.
A strong, inclusive business culture is key to long-term success, driving profitability, adaptability, and cohesion. Culture can’t be rushed. It grows over time and shapes decisions, communication, and leadership. Companies must prioritize trust, psychological safety, and well-being.
Sustainable and socially responsible leadership is important for businesses. Leading organizations will embed sustainability into every decision. Balancing results in equity, ethical impact, and societal well-being.
Kai-Fu Lee, AI export and founding president of Google China, shared his predictions for how AI will change work in the future. Read a summary of his thoughts below.
By the 2040’s, AI will handle most manufacturing, marketing, and household tasks, displacing many blue and white-collar jobs. However, new roles like AI Trainer and Ethicist will emerge, requiring human expertise to ensure AI is used responsibly.
AI will personalize learning, offering precise, patient, and engaging technology tailored to each student. It can simplify complex topics, while human teachers focus on mentoring, emotional support, and empathy.
Global consulting firm Korn Ferry released a thought piece on how to future-proof your company with the workforce skills you need.
By 2027, half of all roles will face a skills gap due to AI advancements, retiring workers, and evolving industry needs. Companies must act now to bridge this gap and stay competitive.
Businesses should align workforce strategies with long-term goals, focusing on skills over roles. Start by assessing current and needed skills to build an agile, future-ready workforce.
Shifting to skills-based hiring opens up a wider talent pool and builds diversity. Highlight skills in job descriptions, use AI for efficient hiring and integrate skills into broader talent strategies.
Leaders must champion upskilling programs and align coaching and development processes to promote innovation and long-term growth within the company.
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has its own list of business trends you need to know for 2025. Let’s take a look.
Inconsistent approaches to remote work have led many companies, like Google and Amazon, to enforce return-to-office mandates, often with mixed results. These actions have caused senior talent to leave for competitors, highlighting employees’ preference for work-life balance. Leaders embracing flexible, hybrid, or remote work models in 2025 will have a better chance of retaining and attracting talent.
The 2024 report on small businesses shows optimism about AI, with 40% using generative AI, nearly doubling the number from 2023. AI has evolved beyond basic tasks to improve HR, compensation strategies, and overall business performance.
Economic challenges, political shifts, and global conflicts have created uncertainty for businesses and consumers. In 2025, resilience will be crucial as businesses address risks like supply chain disruptions and skill shortages. Agile practices and AI will play key roles in building adaptability and ensuring business continuity.
At Global Expansion, we’re excited about what 2025 holds. It's our mission to make expanding globally exciting, not overwhelming.
Our award-winning Employer of Record (EOR) removes barriers to international growth. From awesome onboarding to ensuring compliance across 214 countries and territories, we manage the hard stuff so you can focus on growing your business.
Discover why over 2000 companies rely on us to simplify their global hiring and reduce costs. Talk to our expert team and let’s make 2025 one to remember!