Flexibility at work used to be a perk: a nice bonus like free coffee or casual Fridays. Fast-forward to today, and it’s quickly becoming a strategic necessity. The shift began long before the COVID-19 pandemic, but 2020 was the jolt that forced businesses everywhere to embrace remote work en-masse. Ask around now and you’ll find that flex work is a perk nearly every employee is looking for.
In particular, 2024 was a pivotal year for flex work. The trends that emerged this past year go beyond boosting productivity or cutting costs—they’ve helped create workplaces that attract top talent and keep them engaged, while positioning forward-thinking businesses for long-term growth.
Recapping 2024 Trends in Flex Work
The workplace isn’t what it used to be. That’s a great thing for workers and businesses alike. The move toward flexibility is rewriting the rules, blending freedom with efficiency in ways we couldn’t have pictured a decade ago. Here are some of the driving forces behind the future of flexible work:
Hybrid Work is a New Form of Normal
Hybrid work isn’t new, but it was certainly thrust into the spotlight in 2024. Major companies like Airbnb, JPMorgan, Zoom, Grammarly, Adobe, and Atlassian all offer hybrid work options. Even companies that issued return-to-office mandates in 2024 still maintain hybrid ratios. For example, Amazon and Google both require three days in-office; however, the other two can be spent working remote.
It’s a clear statement that hybrid is here to stay in 2025 and beyond. A mix of in-office and remote work, this model offers employees the best of both worlds. For employees, it means flexibility and work-life balance. No more commuting five days a week or choosing between family responsibilities and professional growth. For employers, hybrid models have resulted in boosted productivity. A 2023 Gallup report found, “when employees work from their desired location, they tend to be more engaged at work, less burned out, and less likely to quit.” It’s a concept many companies are buying into.”
The Dream of a 4-Day Work Week
It sounds radical, but the 4-day work week is catching on. As of 2024, many companies experimenting with a consolidated workweek have reported increased productivity, improved employee well-being, and reduced burnout. Governments and labor advocates are also increasingly supporting the idea as a solution to work-life balance and economic sustainability, with Japan as perhaps the most notable example in 2024.
Globally, the economic environment is primed for a 4-day workweek in 2025 and beyond. Studies from Iceland, Belgium, and the UK show that a shorter workweek can actually enhance productivity, proving you can do more with less time. An extra day off helps employees feel less stressed and more focused. In the near future, the 4-day workweek could become the next paradigm shift in how the world works.
Leveraging Technology for Flex Success
Flex work wouldn’t be possible without the right tools. Thankfully, recent years have given way to an explosion of innovative apps and resources. As of 2024, most people are on a first-name basis with the powerhouse productivity apps that headline flex work programs.
Apps like Slack and Asana enable seamless communication, keeping teams on the same page wherever they’re working. Meanwhile, platforms like Deskpass make accessing flexible coworking spaces effortless. Employees can check in and get to work; collaborate with their teams; or find a quiet spot to focus—all without any hassle of long-term leases or rigid office setups.
But it’s not enough to just have these tools—your teams need to know how to use them effectively. Employers need to invest in training and infrastructure to keep workflows smooth and inclusive. After all, nothing kills productivity faster than a distributed team that’s working haphazardly with no visibility into how the work gets done or who’s getting it done.
Flex Work Expectations vs. Realities
Today’s workforce wants options, not ultimatums. Flexibility ranked as one of the top priorities for job seekers in 2024. A LinkedIn report shows only 10% of job postings in December 2023 offered remote work, but these posts received 46% of all applications on the platform. It’s clear: workers want flexibility. Yet, there’s a pervasive problem. Demand far-outshone supply in 2024.
Will that be the case in 2025?
According to another, more recent LinkedIn report, demand for flex work is vastly outstripping the number of positions that offer it as a perk. Approximately 40% of posted positions now include some form of flex work perk; however, a disproportionate number of applicants go to these roles vs. similar jobs that lack flex work opportunities. The result? Traditional in-office roles are going unfilled, while competition for flex work roles skyrockets.
Why Should Businesses Embrace Flexibility?
Here’s the hard truth: ignoring last year’s emerging flex work trends could cost your company big in 2025. Turnover, difficulty attracting top talent, and disengaged employees are just the tip of the iceberg.
On the flip side, businesses that get it right enjoy big-time advantages. Forward-thinking companies like Adobe, Microsoft, and Spotify have embraced flexible policies, and it’s already paying off. They’re not just meeting employee expectations—they’re exceeding them, leading to stronger loyalty and higher productivity, among other benefits:
Competitive advantage: Businesses with progressive flex work policies attract top-tier talent. Put simply, it’s what your employees want.
Financial savings: Reduced office space and lower turnover costs add up big time, and improved productivity puts more dollars toward the top line.
Innovation: Diverse, engaged teams working in environments that suit them are more creative and solution-oriented.
The question isn’t if you should adapt—it’s how quickly you can get started. The surging trends of 2024 aren’t going to go away anytime soon, which makes it important to capitalize on them in the year to come.
Leveraging Flex Work Trends in 2025
Making the leap to flex work? Small, intentional steps are the best way to make big changes. While the process looks different for every business, here’s a simple breakdown of how to get started:
Conduct a Policy Audit: What do your current flex work arrangements look like? Are they meeting employee needs? Make sure they’re aligned with industry best practices. If not, identify gaps and start brainstorming solutions.
Invest in the Right Tools: Equip your team with the technology they need to thrive. Platforms like Deskpass offer access to coworking spaces worldwide, so employees always have seamless access to professional environments, wherever they want to work.
Trial New Models: Experiment with hybrid schedules or a 4-day workweek. Collect data and measure impact, then adjust as needed. Change doesn’t have to be perfect from the start—it just has to start.
Collect Employee Feedback: Your employees are your best resource for shaping flex work policies that work. Surveys or focus groups can help you get to know what they value most. Transparency and collaboration build trust and loyalty.
The Workplace is Changing—Will Your Business Change with it?
2024 has been the year to reimagine how (and where) work gets done. In 2025, don’t wait for change to happen—be the catalyst. Explore how Deskpass can support your business’ journey to a more flexible future. Get started by checking out our resources—or reach out today.
True flexibility goes further than managing logistics. It’s time to create workplaces that ignite inspiration and empower the people who make your success possible. Deskpass is here to help you build a future of work that works for everyone.
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