More than ever, companies will have to step up their efforts to adapt to a rapidly changing business environment. — Photo: skynesher / Getty Images, via ETX Daily UP
The professional landscape could be set for a shakeup in 2025, with far-reaching changes and unexpected challenges. Between rising employee expectations, economic shifts and the emergence of new practices, companies will have to step up their efforts to adapt to a rapidly changing environment. Glassdoor unveils the key trends that are expected to reshape the world of work over the next 12 months.
A year of frustration for workers?
Analysts agree that employee morale is at a low ebb, reporting a loss of meaning, fatigue, weakened mental health, lack of recognition from superiors, burnout and more. According to research from Gallup, 62% of employees worldwide feel professionally disengaged. As a result, they may turn to "quiet quitting," content to carry out the tasks for which they were hired, without doing anything more. This phenomenon looks set to grow this year, especially in the United States, according to Glassdoor.
In the United States, the job market is showing signs of slowing down, although the unemployment rate remains relatively low. As a result, many workers are being forced to stay put, for want of opportunities offering better prospects for advancement or more attractive salaries. The figures speak for themselves: 65% of Americans say they feel "stuck” in their current roles, according to a Glassdoor survey of 3,390 respondents. This figure rises to 73% among technology professionals and 68% among women, compared to 62% among men.
Gen Z rise to management roles
From remote work to flexible working hours to various other demands, managers say they're finding it hard to accommodate younger employees in the workplace. The expectations of this hyper-connected generation in search of meaning are upsetting traditional corporate models and challenging managerial practices. This transformation could be accentuated by the arrival of Gen Z workers in management positions. By 2025, one manager in 10 will belong to this generation, according to Glassdoor estimates.
Contrary to popular belief, Generation Z is not shying away from corporate responsibility. Their career paths are surprisingly in line with those of previous generations. In the United States, 14% of workers aged 27 are already in management positions -- a percentage similar to that of Millennials (13%), Generation X (14%) and Baby Boomers (12%) at the same age.
But these young managers don't intend to lead in the same way as their corporate elders. Looking at reviews published on Glassdoor on leadership and talent management, some striking trends emerge. Terms like "well-being” and "empathy” are seeing a meteoric rise, with mentions increasing by 222% and 76% respectively between 2019 and 2024. Employees want leaders capable of understanding them and responding to their needs. At the same time, the notions of "boundaries” (+99%) and "burnout” (+126%) are gaining significant ground, illustrating the sense of overload felt by many workers. In a context marked by uncertainty, workers also expect their managers to provide greater clarity (+52%) and to navigate uncertainty (+45%). Finally, the themes of fairness (+41%) and inclusion (+76%) are gaining in importance, particularly among the younger generations.
While there has been much debate about the specificities of Generation Z in the workplace, these workers' arrival in management roles will ultimately reveal how much their leadership style will align with or differ from that of their predecessors.
Slashers and side hustles
Workers have not given up on their ambitions, and they no longer hesitate to think outside the box to achieve professional fulfillment. Indeed, many are turning to entrepreneurship, slashing (having multiple jobs or activities at the same time) and side hustles. According to a 2024 Glassdoor-Harris survey, 39% of American employees have a side hustle to make ends meet.
Initially seen as a necessity imposed by financial constraints, having several jobs or professional activities is now evolving into a strategic choice. It offers an opportunity to explore entrepreneurship while keeping a salaried job. Proud to define themselves as slashers, these workers are asserting their right to multifaceted and fulfilling careers. The professional freedom of side hustles appeals, particularly to younger people. According to the same Glassdoor-Harris survey, 57% of Generation Z and 48% of Millennials have a side hustle to supplement their income, compared to 21% of Baby Boomers.
Digitization and the rise of hybrid working offer new opportunities for multiple jobs. In its report, Glassdoor predicts that "looking into 2025, workers will continue to pursue career growth through side hustles as nontraditional options like entrepreneurship and gig work proliferate." Nevertheless, to ensure recognition for slashers, it's important for working conditions, recruitment practices and social protection schemes to evolve.
Prioritizing well-being at work
Well-being in the workplace is now at the heart of employee expectations. To meet this challenge, employers are reviewing their strategies in depth. Historically focused on health insurance and retirement plans, these policies are now expanding to include more modern initiatives, such as mental health support. Between 2019 and 2024, access to such benefits increased by 18 percentage points, according to Glassdoor.
Employee well-being also involves benefits adapted to the challenges of modern life. According to Glassdoor, parental leave (+12 points), family medical leave (+9 points) and bereavement leave (+9 points) are all on the rise, and are now among employers' top priorities. This is a valuable advance for the "sandwich generation,” who are often faced with the double burden of young children and aging parents.
Working from home, although on the rise since 2019 (+23% according to Glassdoor), remains a source of tension. For employees, it's now an acquired right, while employers are arguing for more in-person work, citing the need to strengthen team cohesion and optimize the use of often deserted offices.
Despite the budgetary constraints imposed by the economic slowdown, employers are continuing to expand their services and benefits to improve employee well-being. A strategic approach aimed at boosting team motivation while enhancing the attractiveness of companies to talented staff. – AFP Relaxnews
