FM newsroom – workspace management, facility management. 2025 is approaching, and facility managers are at the forefront of reshaping workplaces to meet new employee expectations, technological advancements, and sustainability goals. Here are key trends FMs should prepare for.
As workplaces continue to evolve, 2025 is set to bring significant shifts in how and where we work. From hybrid models to sustainability-focused designs, here are key trends shaping the modern workplace based on insights by experts at Skedda.
Hybrid work becomes the standard
Hybrid work continues to dominate as the preferred model, blending remote and in-office setups. Facility managers must ensure workspaces cater to both virtual collaboration and in-person interactions, with flexible spaces designed for productivity.
Office vacancies decline
While current office vacancies remain high, growth in headcounts and hybrid work models is expected to drive increased workspace utilization. Facility managers will need to plan for adaptive layouts to support changing occupancy rates.
Flexible work arrangements
Employees prioritize schedule flexibility over location flexibility, pushing companies to move beyond traditional 9-to-5 schedules. Facility managers must accommodate staggered work hours and alternative workweek structures.
Resilient and agile workplaces
Facilities will be designed with flexible office configurations that can be easily re-arranged and prepared for rapid changes in space needs due to fluctuating occupancy rates, ensuring that office layouts can adapt quickly.
Due to new working patterns, office redesigns need to be better tailored to workers’ personal needs and preferences to support productivity. Gensler’s research found that four types of spaces are essential to help workers do their best work: spaces for creative group work, individual spaces, spaces to reflect and restore, and areas to refresh and recharge.
Decentralized offices rise
Decentralization can refer to the physical layout of a company’s office space or how a company is structured. Regarding physical layout, examples of decentralized office spaces include satellite offices or regional workspaces closer to where employees live.
With a shift to satellite offices and regional hubs, facility managers must coordinate multiple locations, leveraging cloud-based tools for oversight and streamlined operations.
AI enhances facility operations
AI plays a significant role, with workers reporting improved efficiency due to emerging technologies such as generative AI. In 2025, AI will become more integrated into daily tasks, from automating administrative duties to providing advanced data analysis. AI will also play a significant role in automating routine tasks like space allocation, scheduling, and energy management.
Technology continues to build bridges
According to a Cisco 2024 Hybrid Work survey, nearly two-thirds of employees want better technology and infrastructure to accommodate different types of work and activities.
Tools like virtual whiteboards, video conferencing, and holographic displays will enable seamless collaboration among remote and hybrid teams. These technologies will help bridge the gap between physical and virtual workspaces.
The need to upskill the workforce
Businesses predict that almost half of workers’ core skills will be disrupted by 2027 (World Economic Forum). AI will be a key disruptor, but other factors—like the push for green initiatives—will disrupt a quarter of jobs by 2027.
In the future, tech literacy will become ever important. Socio-emotional skills like empathy, curiosity, and resilience will also be more heavily emphasized as AI increasingly takes on analytical and technical skills.
Modern trends
As hybrid work models solidify, organizations will need to repurpose office spaces to accommodate flexible seating, hot desking, and collaboration. Additionally, they will use data from occupancy sensors, Wifi tracking, and workplace management software to gain insights into how spaces are used.
Workspace utilization data will guide decisions about space allocation, room scheduling, and overall capacity planning, helping to maximize efficiency and reduce wasted space.
Sustainability takes centre stage
Sustainable building design will be non-negotiable in 2025 as people demand commercial buildings use less energy, have close to zero emissions, and have a lower carbon footprint. Facility managers will spearhead efforts to achieve green certifications, install energy-efficient systems, and reduce carbon footprints.
Employee well-being as a priority
Companies will prioritize mental health initiatives in the coming years, offering more robust programs like mindfulness, counselling services, and mental health days.
Workplace design will also shift toward reducing stress, with more green spaces, quiet zones, and wellness rooms. Facilities managers will be more active in enhancing the employee experience and designing workspaces that promote comfort, productivity, and well-being.
Cybersecurity and Smart Buildings
Hybrid work has created new security challenges. A lack of centralized physical presence complicates crisis coordination and communication, and the decentralized structure of remote work makes implementing uniform security measures and controls difficult. All of this underlines the importance of comprehensive security solutions that address the risks associated with remote work settings.
With the rise of connected buildings and smart devices, organizations will also need to increase their investment in security for physical spaces. This will include securing building management systems, IoT devices, and access control technologies against potential cyber threats.
