As a big Marty Mcfly fan, I was disappointed to wake up on October 21st, 2015, and discover that we still needed roads. Back to the Future writers predicted what the future would look like, and we’ve done the same, but we’re confident we’re right. Finding one: roads are here to stay for 2025, sadly. However, the rest of our predictions are far more important – how the World of Work will change in 2025.
The biggest workplace shifts of 2025
One month down, we’re well on our way into 2025: The Year of the Snake, or what we’re calling ‘The Year of Brace’. And people are bracing. 71% of people across 33 countries are hoping that 2025 will be better than 2024 – but they’re bracing for the worst.
Across the planet, people are currently existing in a void of uncertainty. They’re bracing for an impact they can’t yet see. Global turbulence, bubbling and buckling economies, secular societies going all traditional on us – it’s a lot to take in, and it’s hard to predict what it means for us all. People, now more than ever, need protection from the unknown threat swirling around them.
Great Scott! If employers are to attract and retain talent, they need to offer protection from the unknown. A firm grasp of the following trends will help you do just that.
The great stay is over
Descent, Dissent, Dissociation.
In 2024, we welcomed ‘The Great Stay’. Think 'The Truman Show’ or ‘The Great Escape’, but don’t. Because it’s the opposite. The UK resignation rate fell from 3.6% in 2021 to 2.6% in 2024. People voluntarily chose to stay in their jobs, prioritising stability in such an uncertain economic climate.
The trend of career stagnation will only worsen as we sail into 2025. Because people might stay longer at your company — but they're not there mentally. Engagement is at its lowest level in the U.S in 11 years, and we're seeing similar evidence across the globe.
People, when unengaged, care about their job less. They aren’t connected to your company’s mission, your purpose, or even the people around them.
But they’re not leaving. So is it an issue?
Yes. A big one. Disengaged employees perform 20% worse than their engaged counterparts, and are 6x less creative in their day-to-day. That’s a big hit to your productivity costs. A job is becoming exactly what it is. A job. A drain on life, rather than a benefit.
How can you beat the apocalypse of disengaged zombie employees?
Keep your finger on the pulse, open your ears, and conduct internal surveys. They can be vital to understanding how your people are feeling. Are they happy? Are they engaged? Are they over that ‘Christmas party incident’?
Administrating the survey is all well and dandy. The next steps are equally important.
Communicate what you’ve heard to your people. Show them that you’re listening. Tell them the actions you’re taking to preserve the good, tackle the bad, and eliminate the ugly. And then, action them! Carry out and follow through on what you’ve just described. Show people that you’re doing this, to build buy-in.
Workplace realities
Generation Zee.
Cynical, lazy, Mickey-Mouse-degree-educated, AI excessive, doom scrolling, avocado on toast eating sons of guns. Am I right or am I wrong? Yeah. Of course I’m wrong.
Remember that void I mentioned? Well, Gen Z are natural void dwellers. They love a void. They’re disconnected from all generations that have preceded them, and the one that follows. Heck, there is even a polarisation within. Women are a staggering 30% more liberal than men of the same age. As the Financial Times said — ‘Gen Z is two generations, not one.’
Despite the misconceptions being thrown around, they’re not the lost cause they’re perceived to be. They’re just treating the world the way it’s treated them. Their lives have been defined by crisis. We’re talking all of the Cs. Climate change, Covid and cost (of living). Multigenerational collaboration is becoming an essential component in the workplace, so it’s time to listen to the needs of the so-called ‘Homelanders’.
By 2025, Gen Z will account for 27% of the global workforce, redefining its existence and, if you’re worried about losing this talent pool to a competitor, you should be. Because not only are you competing against other companies – you’re competing against nothing.
Let me introduce you to naked quitting. I know what you're thinking, surely you'd be arrested for public indecency before you could even make it to your boss’ desk. Well, let me explain.
Naked quitting is the practice of leaving your job without a backup. Quietly taking your things from the table, rather than nakedly putting everything on it. For this generation, whom mental health is such a priority, poor treatment won’t be tolerated. If you don’t make them feel appreciated and valued, they’ll find someone who does. Simple.
In the UK, 1 in 8 young people are currently neither in work nor education. It’s time to adjust, listen and understand. Are you offering what Gen Z truly values? If you don’t, it’ll likely end in a one big fat ‘arrivederci’.
Predictions for 2025 & Beyond
Speaking of Gen-Zs and goodbyes, that’s the end of this article for now. Sayonara.
Wait, is that it?
Similar to Back to the Future II, we end on a cliff hanger. We’re not even scratching the surface with our trends. We have more, including further detail on Descent, Dissent, Dissociation and Generation Z.
To tease you with our other topics, we have coverage on: ‘The Void & The Lighthouse’, ‘Friend or Foe: AI’, and finally, ‘The Big Squeeze.
PART 2 COMING SOON
