Korn Ferry Reveals Workforce 2025 Research

LOS ANGELES, April 17, 2025 – Korn Ferry (NYSE: KFY) today released its Workforce 2025 Global Insights Report, which pulls back the curtain on shifts impacting the dynamic between employers and employees.

Today’s workforce is adapting to increased mandated office returns, tighter salary increases, and flatter management layers—all in pursuit of organization’s seeking stability and growth. The findings are based on Korn Ferry’s annual survey of 15,000 global employees across a range of job roles, age demographics and industries.

“Common assumptions about work are being rewritten in real time amid perpetual uncertainty and pressure points that are permeating the global workforce. And at the forefront is the shifting dynamics between an organization’s need for growth and stability and employees’ desire for fulfillment and balance in their lives,” said Lesley Uren, CEO of Korn Ferry Consulting.

The report examines a variety of factors that are affecting the workforce in 2025. Key data points include:

• Hybrid Headaches: Despite a national push to return to the office, the majority of U.S. workers say it’s not what they want. Although more than 3 in 5 (64%) of employees are now required to work on-site full-time, most would prefer a remote or hybrid setup. The research reveals that 69% of workers want to work remotely at least part of the time—driven by a desire for greater flexibility (61%) and improved mental health (60%). Yet fewer than one in three employees (32%) currently have access to hybrid work options, underscoring a growing disconnect between employer policies and employee needs.
• Missing Managers:  As companies streamline operations, nearly half (44%) of U.S. employees report cutbacks in manager levels at their organizations. While leaner structures can boost agility, the absence of these key leaders is creating new challenges, with 40% of U.S. employees saying they feel a lack of direction at work. Senior executives are feeling the pressure too—72% in the U.S. say they’re stretched beyond their capabilities, compared to 47% of their global peers.
• The Salary Squeeze: Employees at all levels are feeling the impact of an uncertain economy. While two-thirds (66%) of U.S. workers say they are compensated fairly or above the value of their skills, 72% are concerned about cost-of-living expenses outpacing their current salary. Against the backdrop of broader economic fluctuations, employees across the board are prioritizing job security along with compensation when looking for new positions.
• Generational Angst: Leaders will be looking closely at the relationship among different generations of workers this year, with 75% of Gen Z identifying challenges working with other generations due to different communications styles, technology gaps or values. However, 45% of Baby Boomers don’t report any problems working across generations. 
• A New AI World Order: When it comes to AI in the workplace, U.S. and global employees have divergent views. In the U.S., 61% of employees feel optimistic about AI’s potential impact on their work; however globally nearly half (48%) of employees are concerned their job will be replaced by AI in the next three years. Further, 58% of U.S. employees feel that their organization is mostly successful in implementing AI, with those in senior roles feeling most confident.  Globally, more than three-quarters (70%) of leaders believe they have an AI strategy, while only 39% of employees agree.

Additional insights from global industry verticals include:

• Healthcare Talent Feels Stretched: Amid ongoing healthcare talent shortages, nearly 39% of workers say they are stretched too thin and almost half (46%) of managers in healthcare indicate that they are overwhelmed at work.
• Fast Pace in Tech Is Hard to Maintain: Managers in the tech industry are more likely to be overwhelmed than those in other industries (58% vs. 46%). Additionally, nearly 3 in 5 (59%) employees in the technology industry feel their jobs will be replaced by AI in the next three years.
• Financial Services is Embracing AI: Across the board, financial services industry professionals say they are increasingly confident in AI. While 62% of these financial services professionals feel adequately trained to use AI tools in their daily work, 66% think using AI will bolster their value in the next three years.

The full Workforce 2025 Global Insights Report can be found here.

Methodology:

Korn Ferry surveyed more than 15,000 professionals worldwide to understand how they feel about their work. The Workforce 2025 Global Insights Report included participants from entry-level positions to CEOs across 15 major markets: the US, UK, France, Germany, Brazil, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Australia, Japan, and India.

About Korn Ferry:

Korn Ferry is a global consulting firm that powers performance, bringing together strategy and talent to drive superior performance for our clients. We work with clients to design their organizational structures, roles, and responsibilities. We help them hire the right people and advise them on how to reward, develop, and motivate their workforce. And we help professionals navigate and advance their careers.

Media Contact:

Stacy Rozen 
Korn Ferry 
310-556-8502 
[email protected]