2025 Workplace trends: Redefining the future of work
Insights from the Morning Brew Inc. audience
It’s no secret that the workplace is goin’ through changes. From an overnight shift to remote work during the COVID-19 pandemic to the subsequent rise of hybrid work and a new generation entering the workforce, the way we work is constantly evolving.
Are folks still relocating for their dream jobs? Are they spending their entire careers at the same company? What’s important to both employees and employers alike?
These are big questions about the areas of work that have seen perhaps the most change over the last few years. The Per My Last Email team wanted to learn more about what people are actually experiencing out there every day at work, so we turned to the best: our very own audience.
Who better to help us learn about which changes are top of mind than the readers we serve every single day?
But before we dig into all our findings, let’s set the stage with some background information on who we talked to.
The demographics for our grand total of 2,504 respondents break down like this:
Percent by gender
Percent by age
Percent by title
Got the lay of the land? Okay, let’s go.
AI is here to stay—but it might help more than hurt
Sick of all the AI coverage? We get it, but its fast adoption across so many industries makes one thing clear: AI isn’t going anywhere. That means employees and orgs alike need to know what they’re dealing with.
One thing employees may not be entirely concerned with is AI taking over their jobs. Despite all the buzz around this topic, only 15% of respondents believe their role is at risk of being replaced by machines. In fact, more than half (53%) think AI will create more opportunities than it might eliminate in their industry.
AI anxiety varies by workplace and job type
Turns out, where you work might shape how you feel about AI.
Full-time in-office employees are feeling pretty confident, with 59% saying their jobs are safe from AI, compared to 47% of fully remote workers. But here’s the twist: Remote employees are far more likely to roll up their sleeves and actually use AI on the daily (48% vs. 34% of in-office workers).
Your job function also plays a key role in how you feel about AI.
Marketing and finance pros are the most likely to think their jobs are on the chopping block. Tech employees, however, are the most optimistic, believing AI will bring more opportunities than it takes away in their industry.
For now, though, AI is seen less as a job killer and more as a tool for growth—at least in certain sectors. Let’s go over the numbers:
of respondents believe their job is NOT replaceable by AI
of respondents agree AI will create more opportunities than it eliminates.
currently use GenAI regularly in their day-to-day work.
Office social trends: Less booze, more balance
The office social scene might be heading for a sober rebrand. Nearly half of respondents (46%) think alcohol has too big a role in work-related events, with women leading the charge—50% agree, compared to 42% of men.
And it’s not just about happy hours: Younger employees and those in entry-level roles are calling for change too. While 12% favor after-hours team building, 16% say alcohol is overdone, compared to 11% of senior staff.
And the shift may already be underway: 65% of Brew readers under 35 have tried alcohol-free alternatives. This group is 1.7x more likely to save their drinking for the weekend. So as you head to future work socials, you might notice coworkers trading cocktails for mocktails and beer pong for board games.
Team building may need a bit of a refresh, too. When it comes to onboarding or training, male respondents were more likely than female respondents to consider in-person onboarding (49% vs. 42%) and after-hours team building (11% vs. 7%) as effective strategies.
Why the corporate climb is out—and flexibility is in
The traditional career ladder might be missing a few rungs—or may be gone entirely. Over half (52%) of respondents think the corporate climb is a thing of the past. Introverts are feeling the shift more strongly, with 14% agreeing completely, compared to just 8% of extroverts.
Meanwhile, the workforce is rethinking success altogether. A whopping 86% of respondents are on board with the four-day workweek (shocker), and 58% say you don’t need a college degree to make it in corporate America.
TL;DR: The future of work isn’t about following old blueprints. It could be about building new ones.
Work from anywhere? More like work from right here
Thinking about relocating? You’re not alone: 56% of respondents would consider relocating for a new gig. Men are more likely to pack their bags, with 59% reporting they’re open to relocation, versus 52% of women.
Percent of employees open to relocation
But remote work is shifting the mindset around relocation: Fully remote employees are less inclined to relocate. Only 46% of remote employees consider it, while 63% of full-time in-office workers are open to relocation.
It looks like the flexibility of remote work is giving employees the freedom they want to stay put—at least for now.
Why employees are rethinking company loyalty in the RTO era
Even though 70% of employees think their company has their best interests at heart, that trust doesn’t necessarily translate to long-term commitment. Less than half (48%) of respondents believe sticking with one company is the financially savvy move. This is an idea younger workers (18–34) are embracing even more, with 51% agreeing, compared to 44% of the 35+ crowd.
And when it comes to return-to-office (RTO), employees are calling it like they see it: 74% think RTO is more about executive control than boosting productivity.
Translation? Workers are questioning traditional loyalty while keeping their options (and opinions) open.
The rise of salary transparency
Chatting about salaries at work is becoming less taboo, especially for younger employees. Over half of respondents (53%) are cool with sharing their salaries with their coworkers, and that number jumps up to 67% for folks aged 18–34.
of employees are cool with sharing their salaries with their coworkers
Compare that to the 35+ crowd (38%), and it’s clear the generational gap is real. The trend holds by title, too: 68% of employees in non-manager roles are open to salary transparency, while 43% of managers and above are.
The hidden power of mentors
Mentorship matters. Just ask the 55% of respondents who say they wouldn’t be where they are in their career today without it.
But 21% have never had a mentor, with introverts feeling it most: 30% report lacking mentorship, compared to just 13% of extroverts.
Age plays a role, too. 25% of the 35+ crowd have never had a mentor, compared to 20% of younger workers. The bright side? Entry- to mid-level employees are more eager than their senior counterparts to prioritize structured mentorship programs (47% vs. 40%). Looks like mentorship could be the missing link to creating the next generation of leaders.
Friendships at work? Turns out, they’re pretty essential
Making genuine friends at work isn’t just possible; it’s actually super common. A solid 82% of respondents say they’ve made a true friend in the workplace, with women leading the way at 85% (vs. 79% of men).
Percent who have made a true friend in the workplace
For women, workplace friendships go beyond being just an added perk: 91% of respondents say having female friendships at work boosts their overall job satisfaction.
And it’s more than just camaraderie. Like we mentioned above, mentorship plays a huge role too. In our partnership study with The Female Quotient and Delta, we found that half of employed women see mentorship as one of the top ways to help support other women in their careers. Another 60% say they’ve had female mentors who’ve helped guide their path.
Mental health tops life priorities, but office culture still holds some back
We’ve seen enough: Mental health is a top priority. Over a third of respondents rank mental health in their top 3 life priorities, far outpacing physical fitness at 25%. But women are more likely than men to rank mental health as a top priority (41% vs. 28%). Looks like taking care of your mental health is just as essential as hitting the gym—maybe even more so.
And when it comes to taking action to protect their minds, over half of respondents (56%) have taken a mental health day. Women are leading this charge at 65%, versus 47% of men. The 35+ crowd are more likely to take some time away than their younger counterparts (59% vs. 52%).
However, in-office employees are less likely to take that time off: 51% of in-office respondents have never taken a mental health day, compared to 43% of hybrid workers and 40% of fully remote employees. It seems that physical separation from the office makes it a little easier for employees to give themselves a brain break.
Percent who rank in their top 3 life priorities
The DEI disconnect: Support is high, but so is skepticism
DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) is seen as critical for business success by over half of respondents (54%), but there’s a big divide when it comes to its authenticity. A staggering 80% believe DEI initiatives often feel more performative than genuine. Let’s dig into that a little more.
Women are more likely to view DEI as essential to business success (67% vs. 41% of men). And while younger workers (18–34) are more likely to believe in DEI’s importance (82%), older workers (35+) are more skeptical, with 23% fully disagreeing with DEI’s role in the workplace.
It’s also clear that those in higher-level roles (think manager and above) are more likely to view DEI as performative (36% of respondents vs. 31% of lower-level employees). Those in intern, entry-level, and mid-level positions are more likely to believe it’s critical for success (26% vs. 20% of senior staff).
All in all, the DEI conversation is still evolving, and there’s room for improvement in how it’s implemented.
of employees see DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) is seen as critical for business success
Work isn’t what it used to be—and that’s the point
The workplace isn’t what it used to be. Gone are the days of rigid office norms, linear career paths, and silent salary policies. In their place we now find a more flexible, transparent, and self-aware workforce that’s actively reshaping what work means.
From AI to alcohol-free happy hours and salary chats to mentorship gaps, what we’re seeing is a workplace driven less by tradition and more by intention. Employees want jobs that work for them, not just the other way around. They crave connection, demand balance, and aren’t afraid to question the status quo (especially if it involves commuting five days a week).
In short: The rules of work are being rewritten. This time, employees have a pen in hand.