Korn Ferry has released its Workforce 2025 Global Insights Report, offering an insight into trends impacting on the dynamic between employers and employees. Among the major influences are mandated office returns, tighter salary increases, and flatter management layers – all in pursuit of organisations seeking stability and growth. The findings are based on Korn Ferry’s annual survey of 15,000 global employees across a range of job roles, age demographics and industries.
“Common assumptions about work are being rewritten in real time amid perpetual uncertainty and pressure points that are permeating the global workforce,” said Lesley Uren, CEO of Korn Ferry Consulting. “And at the forefront is the shifting dynamics between an organisation’s need for growth and stability and employees’ desire for fulfilment and balance in their lives.”
The report examines a variety of factors that are affecting the workforce in 2025. Key data points include:
- Hybrid Headaches:Despite a national push to return to the office, the majority of U.S. workers say it’s not what they want. Although more than 3 in 5 (64 per cent) of employees are now required to work on-site full-time, most would prefer a remote or hybrid setup. The research reveals that 69 per cent of workers want to work remotely at least part of the time—driven by a desire for greater flexibility (61 per cent) and improved mental health (60 per cent). Yet fewer than one in three employees (32 per cent) currently have access to hybrid work options, underscoring a growing disconnect between employer policies and employee needs.
- Missing Managers: As companies streamline operations, nearly half (44 per cent) of U.S. employees report cutbacks in manager levels at their organisations. While leaner structures can boost agility, the absence of these key leaders is creating new challenges, with 40 per cent of U.S. employees saying they feel a lack of direction at work. Senior executives are feeling the pressure too—72 per cent in the U.S. say they’re stretched beyond their capabilities, compared to 47 per cent of their global peers.
- The Salary Squeeze:Employees at all levels are feeling the impact of an uncertain economy. While two-thirds (66 per cent) of U.S. workers say they are compensated fairly or above the value of their skills, 72 per cent are concerned about cost-of-living expenses outpacing their current salary. Against the backdrop of broader economic fluctuations, employees across the board are prioritising job security along with compensation when looking for new positions.
- Generational Angst:Leaders will be looking closely at the relationship among different generations of workers this year, with 75 per cent of Gen Z identifying challenges working with other generations due to different communications styles, technology gaps or values. However, 45 per cent of Baby Boomers don’t report any problems working across generations.
- A New AI World Order:When it comes to AI in the workplace, U.S. and global employees have divergent views. In the U.S., 61 per cent of employees feel optimistic about AI’s potential impact on their work; however globally nearly half (48 per cent) of employees are concerned their job will be replaced by AI in the next three years. Further, 58 per cent of U.S. employees feel that their organisation is mostly successful in implementing AI, with those in senior roles feeling most confident. Globally, more than three-quarters (70 per cent) of leaders believe they have an AI strategy, while only 39 per cent of employees agree.
Additional insights from global industry verticals include:
- Healthcare Talent Feels Stretched:Amid ongoing healthcare talent shortages, nearly 39 per cent of workers say they are stretched too thin and almost half (46 per cent) of managers in healthcare indicate that they are overwhelmed at work.
- Fast Pace in Tech Is Hard to Maintain:Managers in the tech industry are more likely to be overwhelmed than those in other industries (58 per cent vs. 46 per cent). Additionally, nearly 3 in 5 (59 per cent) employees in the technology industry feel their jobs will be replaced by AI in the next three years.
- Financial Services is Embracing AI:Across the board, financial services industry professionals say they are increasingly confident in AI. While 62 per cent of these financial services professionals feel adequately trained to use AI tools in their daily work, 66 per cent think using AI will bolster their value in the next three years.
The full Workforce 2025 Global Insights Report can be found here.
For this research Korn Ferry surveyed more than 15,000 professionals worldwide to understand how they feel about their work. The Workforce 2025 Global Insights Report included participants from entry-level positions to CEOs across 15 major markets: the US, UK, France, Germany, Brazil, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Australia, Japan, and India.