Wellbeing concerns, particularly burnout, pose a persistent threat to organisational outcomes and employee retention, raising the need for employers to create more supportive work environments.
This can be seen in the way nearly two in five (39 per cent) office workers report experiencing burnout or being at risk of burnout. Among those affected, more than half (57 per cent) are actively considering leaving their employer within the next 12 months.
The stark figures come from the JLL Workforce Preference Barometer 2025, published this month. The study gathers insights from 8,700 office workers across 31 countries, employed at organisations with more than 1,000 staff members and representing several sectors, from finance and technology to public services.
The research outlines the biggest challenges and priorities faced by workforces. It also offers insights into what employees expect from their work environment and the impact of structured hybrid policies, shifting flexibility needs and resulting retention challenges.
Among the key findings from the study is that the desire for work-life balance is stronger than ever, outweighing salary. This can be seen in the way flexibility needs are shifting towards management of time over place.
While most employees recognise the benefits of being in the office, all aspire to have some autonomy over their hours and how they integrate work and life. Half of those surveyed say office presence supports better teamwork, while 43% prefer to work from the office and 35% view hybrid policies as fairer to all employees.
Crucially, 40% believe they will be less productive if they are unable to choose their preferred work setting.
Encouragingly for employers, two thirds (66%) of the respondents say their company sets clear expectations for the number of days working on-site. While 72% of the global workforce view these policies positively, the acceptance often depends on the overall employee experience. According to the study, employees with a positive view tend to work in environments where business needs are balanced with employee wellbeing – they benefit from quality workplaces, an empowering managerial culture and learning and development opportunities.
Flore Pradère, one of the study’s authors, said:
“The 2025 Workforce Preference Barometer reveals a workplace that is more structured and more accepted, but with higher expectations placed upon it. Employees tend to comply with office attendance policies, but engagement hinges on the quality of work environments and overall experience delivered. Today, the workplace must do more to earn its place in employees’ lives. The most successful organizations won’t simply adapt to change but will intentionally design for it, focusing on what their talent truly values.”
