trends shaping work in 2026 and what you should do about it

In 2026, the workplace continues to evolve, building upon the flexibility and autonomy trends that emerged in recent years. The widespread adoption of remote work, initially a response to the COVID-19 pandemic, has now become a staple, with most companies embracing a hybrid model combining in-person and remote work. This shift reflects an ongoing recognition of remote work's benefits, such as enhanced productivity and job satisfaction.

Inflation remains a concern, eroding purchasing power and making it more difficult for individuals to afford basic necessities. This economic climate contributes to heightened stress and burnout among workers, alongside reduced job satisfaction and productivity. The uncertainty fostered by these ongoing challenges has dampened investment and confidence in future stability, affecting workforce dynamics.

As we look at the trends shaping the workplace in 2026, it's clear that they are responses to these complex, interconnected challenges. Here are the seven work trend predictions we believe will define the year(s) to come:

workplace trend predictions for 2026

01. flexible work options are here to stay

Flexible work options are certain to continue trending in 2026. The accelerated development and successful use of workplace technology and virtually collaborative tools has laid the necessary groundwork for remote work to be here to stay. Whether that be home office, hybrid, work-from-anywhere, workations, 4 day work weeks or completely flexible hours. Many companies have realised the benefits of these more flexible options, which include increased job satisfaction, work-life balance, productivity, and cost savings for the employer.

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02. non-linear career paths will become the norm

Careers spent within the same division, let alone at the same company are slowly becoming harder and harder to find. Instead, non-linear career paths, where individuals move between different roles and industries throughout their working lives, are becoming more normalised. One reason for this is the changing nature of work, with the rise of the gig economy and the freelance workforce. This allows people to take on a variety of different roles and gain diverse experiences. Additionally, technology and automation are changing the skills that are in demand, making it more important for individuals to hone their soft skills that enable them to continuously learn and adapt throughout their careers. Social media and other digital tools are also making it easier for individuals to network and market themselves to potential employers. These factors are contributing to a more fluid job market and a shift away from traditional career paths.

This works incredibly in the favour of those who want to switch careers but fear they lack experience in their desired field. There is an ever-growing library of tools out there to help, and we offer a career success program that will bolster you to make that bold move here.

03. an increasing use of AI (duh)

After the initial hype cycle, companies moved from big talk to practical use cases: speeding up admin, drafting content, analysing data, and helping teams make faster, more informed decisions. Most employees now interact with AI tools in some form, whether they planned to or not.

Hiring changed too, but not in the glossy “AI removes all bias” way people predicted years ago. Companies use AI to shortlist candidates, analyse skills, and speed up screening – but humans still make the final calls, and they’re learning that AI needs oversight, not blind trust.

The real shift is this: AI is now a core career skill. People who understand how to work with it, prompt it, and use it to amplify their work have a clear edge. It’s no longer about “beating the algorithm” with your CV – it’s about understanding how these tools read your experience and how you can use them yourself to move faster.

If you want to sharpen those skills and stay relevant in an AI-driven workplace, explore our AI upskilling course built with Google – it’s designed to help you work smarter, not just harder.

04. growing importance of power skills

Power skills will be the yin to the yang which is the increasing use of AI. Since software and AI will be taking over and automating more and more of our tasks, soft skills will become more important than ever. In particular, soft skills such as creativity, adaptability and communication that cannot be performed by our robot sidekicks will become even more in demand.

One important power skill: social skills and the ability to meet new people and build meaningful connections has suffered a global decline as a result of the social isolation most of us were subjected to during the pandemic. As the world returned to pre-pandemic levels of in-person events, power skills will be paramount.

Check out our tips on improving your networking and negotiation skills here.

05. greater emphasis placed on mental health

The pandemic and resulting social isolation have highlighted the importance of mental health and well-being in the workplace. Companies are likely to continue to focus on creating a culture that prioritises employee mental health, openness and support.

We also expect to see the addition of further mental health-related resources to support healthier relationships between employees and their mental health. One form of this is for employers to provide free access to mental health professionals for therapy and mindfulness sessions either in-house or through an employee assistance program. Companies may also begin working with external companies to provide training surrounding mental health awareness and preventing burnout. Additionally, we expect to see a rise in mental health days off becoming offered as part of an employee’s benefits.

It's important to note that mental health support should be tailored to the specific needs of the organisation and its employees and that it should be an ongoing effort rather than a one-time initiative.

06. from DEI to inclusive performance

Political pressure, economic uncertainty, and shifting corporate priorities led many companies to downplay the diversity altogether. Budgets tightened, public commitments softened, and a lot of the loud activism turned into quieter, internal work.

But the underlying need didn’t disappear. Rather than running as big branded DEI programs, companies started integrating inclusion into broader culture- and leadership work.

That’s the real direction we saw throughout 2025 – DEI becoming more subtle, more embedded, and less performative. And as leadership pipelines continue shrinking and competition for talent increases, inclusion remains a business necessity, even if companies talk about it differently.

At the female factor, our focus reflects this shift: supporting women through evidence-based leadership development and helping companies build environments where they can thrive. The trend may look quieter on the surface, but the work is deeper – and far from over. For support with your company's DEI journey, you can get in touch with us here.

07. a growing workforce and decreasing unemployment rate

Unfortunately due to the war, inflation and economic uncertainty across Europe and beyond, mass layoffs have became increasingly common, particularly within the tech sector. Last year has already shown early signs of stabilisation of inflation in Europe and we expect (also sincerely hope) this continues throughout the rest of the year. As the economy continues to recover, companies may begin to hire again and more talents will rejoin the workforce and decrease the unemployment rate even further to record low levels. One possible way that unemployment would decrease in 2026 is through job creation in growing industries. Additionally, governments may implement policies to encourage hiring, such as tax incentives for businesses or subsidies for training programs. Alternatively, some talents may see this as an opportunity to pursue what they want to do and find their own businesses.

what do the 2026 trends mean for your career?

Work in 2026 is shaped by a mix of economic pressure, shifting expectations, and a workforce that’s demanding something more human and more sustainable. Flexibility has settled into the norm. Careers have become fluid. AI has moved from buzzword to daily tool. And both mental health and inclusive leadership have shifted from “initiatives” to essential foundations for any workplace that wants to keep its people.

Inflation and uncertainty still linger in the background, but people are no longer waiting for perfect stability to make moves. They want growth, purpose, and environments where they can actually perform. That’s why power skills, confidence, and strong networks matter more than ever.

The bottom line? The world of work isn’t getting simpler – but it is getting clearer. The companies that treat their people as adults, build inclusive cultures, and embrace smart tools will win. And the individuals who invest in their skills, their mindset, and their connections will move forward faster than the rest.

If you want support navigating your own career or strengthening your team, the female factor is here to help – with programs, tools, and a community built for the realities of 2026, not the promises of the past.