A new report on 2025 employee experience trends from Qualtrics reveals that UK workers under 25 feel optimistic about their careers and their organizations’ futures. The findings suggest that young employees will remain engaged and optimistic in the new year.
“Over and over, employees have said they need their organisations to help them get work done as they try to balance their existing workload while adapting to rapid workplace changes. The psychological contract between employees and employers has changed, and organisations need to catch up to what employees expect of the modern workplace,” said Dr Benjamin Granger, chief workplace psychologist at Qualtrics.
However, the report also shows certain workplace challenges. One of the concerns is the fast-paced nature of work, with 39% of workers feeling pressure to increase productivity. Many believe this is due to rapid changes in the business environment (40%) and shifts in company strategy (39%). Additionally, 34% blame economic challenges, while 23% point to the introduction of artificial intelligence (AI) as a source of added stress.
The report also uncovered dissatisfaction with employee entry and exit processes, with respondents ranking application and interview stages as the most frustrating aspects of their experience. This poses a risk to employers’ reputations.
Moreover, the report warns that some companies are sacrificing long-term trust for short-term gains. While 66% of employees expressed confidence in their senior leaders’ abilities and integrity, only 52% believed leadership would prioritise employee well-being over immediate business results.
Another trend for 2025 is the gap between employees and organisations regarding AI. Over half of respondents (56%) said their employers don’t provide AI training or tools, and 54% noted their organisations lack clear guidelines or ethical principles for AI use. This disconnect prompts 24% of young employees to seek out and use AI tools on their own, with 39% utilising these tools daily or weekly.