2025 Workplace Trends Report
Fresh insights. Real shifts. What’s next for the modern workplace.
Our latest trends report unpacks the second half of 2025 with six big shifts shaping how work gets done, why people stay and what it takes to thrive in a rapidly evolving landscape. What's inside:
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Make the office a magnet, not a mandate – Discover six experience-first ways companies are turning the office into a place people want to be.
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Gen Z to Boomers: It’s not one-size-fits-all – Learn how personalized strategies by generation are boosting engagement and retention.
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Well-being is a business strategy now – See how leading orgs are measuring the ROI of well-being with targeted, high-impact programs.
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Community: The unexpected retention driver – Explore how intentional connection is strengthening culture and cutting turnover.
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Management is being redefined – Find out why today’s top managers lead with empathy, flexibility and whole-person support.
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AI and culture: Where tech meets trust – Understand how smart orgs are using AI to enhance (not replace) human-centered culture.
And more!
Here's a preview: Trends #1 - Reimagine the Employee Experience
The differentiator: people-focused strategies
While exceptional physical spaces matter, we’re finding that organisations getting the best results are those looking beyond the environment to prioritise employees’ emotional, cultural and developmental journeys. For people and business leaders looking to differentiate their approach, we recommend these key focus areas:
- Culture of belonging and inclusion through intentional programs and community-building initiatives
- Mental, physical, and financial well-being support through comprehensive programming
- Flexibility and work-life integration that acknowledges individual needs
- Growth and career development opportunities that employees can’t access remotely
- Strong manager relationships built on empathetic leadership practices
- Purpose-driven engagement connecting office presence to broader impact and meaning
Case study: transforming the employee experience
We recently partnered with a global biopharma company to transform its employee experience during a headquarters relocation. Rather than mandating return-to-office, they created a culture prioritising well-being and community engagement to naturally encourage hybrid work.
Leveraging Circles solutions, their strategy included a 24/7 concierge service for personal tasks, community management through farmers markets and team activities, and a personalized employee experience team enhancing daily interactions. What made this initiative successful wasn’t just the services themselves, but their delivery — executed with hospitality expertise specifically designed to make office attendance compelling rather than compulsory.
As a result, the organisation saw employee satisfaction scores (eNPS) shoot up to 95, creating a headquarters that became both a talent attraction tool and community hub.
