As we head into 2025, the way we work—and where we work—is undergoing yet another transformation. Offices aren’t disappearing, but their role is shifting. Technology is becoming smarter, workplaces are becoming greener, and employee wellbeing has taken centre stage.
At Spica, we’ve always believed in creating environments where people thrive. So, as we look forward, here are key predictions from Spica’s employees on what will shape offices, workplace experiences, and the hybrid working world in 2025.
1. Collaboration and Employee Experience Take Center Stage
As hybrid working becomes the norm, companies are focusing more than ever on making sure their teams can work together seamlessly, whether they’re in the office or remote.
A new trend in collaboration for 2025 will be the rise of AI-powered collaboration tools. These tools will go beyond just messaging and file sharing—they’ll help teams work smarter. Imagine AI suggesting the best time for meetings based on everyone’s schedule or automatically summarising meeting notes and action points. These tools will also help identify who would be the best people to collaborate with on a project, based on their skills and past work. As businesses continue to use a mix of tools, the push will be toward integrating everything into one easy-to-use platform. This will make collaboration smoother and allow teams to focus more on creating and problem-solving, rather than getting bogged down in tech headaches.
2. The Office Isn’t Dead—It’s Evolving
Let’s clear something up: offices aren’t going anywhere, but the reason we go to them is changing. Employees don’t want to commute to sit in isolation—so organisations are rethinking what offices can and should offer.
Instead of rows of desks, the focus is shifting to spaces that foster collaboration, creativity, and connection. Think brainstorm rooms, tech-friendly meeting zones, and casual breakout areas where teams can easily gather. The goal is to turn offices into hubs of innovation and teamwork—places that inspire, not just somewhere to work from 9 to 5.
Comfort is becoming just as important as productivity. Offices will start looking more like boutique hotels, with wellbeing rooms, cozy lounges, quality food options, and concierge-style support to make the workday more enjoyable. With smart office technology, employees will be able to control their environment, adjusting lighting, temperature, or even desk setups with a tap of their phone—making the office feel like their space.
Ultimately, the office of 2025 will be somewhere people actually want to be, not somewhere they feel they have to go.
3. Return to Office Debate Continues
The debate over Return to Office (RTO) versus hybrid work isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. Big names like Amazon, Starbucks, Boots, and PwC have already announced plans to bring employees back to the office three to five days a week starting in January. This trend is being driven by companies’ significant investments in office spaces—whether it’s rent, utilities, or state-of-the-art facilities. Empty offices represent wasted resources, so many organisations are reimagining these spaces to become hubs for collaboration, creativity, and innovation. However, while businesses are eager to maximise the value of their physical workspaces, employees are continuing to push back, demanding flexibility that better suits their lifestyles and work preferences. The tug-of-war between leadership priorities and employee expectations will remain a key workplace theme as we head into the new year.
4. More Set Days in the Office
We’ll see a rise in set days in the office as companies look for a middle ground between full-time office mandates and flexible hybrid models. Instead of random attendance, organisations will establish clear, structured schedules—like “anchor days”—when specific teams are expected to be in the office. This approach brings predictability for both employees and employers, making it easier to plan collaborative work, meetings, and team-building activities. Tuesday to Thursday is the new office working week with Thursday overtaking Wednesday as the day of the week typically recording the highest use of office space.
For employees, knowing exactly when their team will be on-site creates opportunities for meaningful in-person connections, reducing the frustration of commuting to an empty office. On the organisational side, this predictability allows better management of office resources, such as meeting spaces and hot desking, while ensuring that investments in physical spaces deliver real value. Ultimately, the shift toward set office days balances the benefits of collaboration with the flexibility workers crave, creating a more intentional and productive workplace rhythm.
5. AI will continue to reshape the workplace
Mixed reality applications and AI-powered tools will take significant strides in transforming the workplace experience. Mixed reality—where virtual and augmented realities converge—will revolutionise how teams collaborate and connect, particularly in hybrid and global settings. Imagine stepping into a virtual meeting room where you can interact with 3D models, digital whiteboards, or holographic teammates as though they were right beside you. Mixed reality will bridge the gap between physical and virtual workspaces, reducing the isolation of remote work and creating opportunities for more natural, collaborative problem-solving. As hybrid work becomes the norm, these applications will ensure teams can innovate, ideate, and engage seamlessly, no matter where they are.
At the same time, AI-powered hyper-personalisation will reshape how workplaces function on an individual level. 75% of global workers are using generative AI at work. 79% of leaders agree their company needs to adopt AI to stay competitive, and within the next five years, 41% of these leaders expect to redesign business processes from the ground up with AI.
Technology that tailors tools and resources to individual employee needs and preferences will take centre stage, creating smarter, more efficient workplaces. Who’d have thought technology could boost productivity, right? It’s an exciting time to rethink how we work and how tech can make it better—for everyone.
Simon Hilton, Head of New Business
6. AI Legislation
People will realise AI has been rushed, and workplace tech companies need to educate the public on the difference between invasive surveillance and IoT sensors.
Gemma Worgan, Head of Marketing
In 2025, AI legislation will become a major focus as governments and regulatory bodies work to catch up with the rapid pace of AI adoption. Over the past few years, AI has been implemented at lightning speed, often without clear oversight, leading to concerns about data privacy, bias, and ethical use. In response, we can expect stricter regulations aimed at ensuring transparency, accountability, and fairness in AI-driven tools and systems. Companies using AI will need to demonstrate how their algorithms make decisions, especially in areas like recruitment, performance monitoring, and workplace surveillance. This shift will help address fears of invasive technologies, such as employee tracking, and build trust in AI-powered workplace solutions.
At the same time, legislation will likely focus on protecting employee rights and privacy, ensuring that AI serves to enhance—not exploit—workers’ experiences. For organisations, this means adapting to new compliance requirements while also educating teams on how AI tools can be used responsibly and ethically. As regulations take shape, the workplace will see a move toward AI solutions that are not only smarter and more efficient but also more human-centric and transparent.
7. Say Goodbye to Legacy Systems
A major change we’ll see in 2025 is the end of legacy systems put in place during the Covid pandemic. Many businesses are moving away from the fragmented, piecemeal tech solutions they had to implement in a hurry and are looking to consolidate their apps and products.
A lot of companies are coming to the end of legacy systems put in during Covid so there should be more consolidation of apps and products next year. It seems every month workplace and employee experience gets higher and higher up the agenda along with employee wellbeing.
Paul Mundy, Business Development Manager
A More Flexible, Tech-Enabled Future
2025 is shaping up to be a year of change in the workplace. From better collaboration tools and the rise of AI, more personalised tech, companies will need to adapt quickly to keep up. But the biggest takeaway is this: companies that focus on employee experience, wellbeing, and flexibility will be the ones who succeed in attracting and retaining top talent.
The future of work is all about creating workplaces that not only keep up with technological advancements but also support the people who use them. Let’s see what 2025 brings!
