CHICAGO, Sept. 9, 2025 – As hybrid work becomes more permanent, employee perception of the office is shifting, with 72% of the global workforce now viewing return to office (RTO) policies positively. However, according to new research from JLL (NYSE: JLL), this comes with a growing expectation for improved workplace experience, flexibility and employee wellbeing.

JLL’s 2025 Workforce Preference Barometer gathers insights from 8,700 office workers across 31 countries, employed at organizations with more than 1,000 staff members and representing sectors from finance to technology, manufacturing and public services. The research outlines the workforce’s biggest challenges and priorities and how corporate real estate and business leaders can work together to design and curate office spaces that meet employee needs well into the future.

“Three years into the hybrid work era, there is an opportunity for business leaders to rethink the role of the office and how it fits into employees’ lives,” said Dr. Paul Morgan, Global COO, Work Dynamics, JLL. “The answer lies in creating adaptive workplaces that support diverse needs—from flexible arrangements for caregivers to connection-rich environments where emerging talent can build relationships and accelerate their growth.” 

Positive findings of the report reveal an 8-percentage point decrease among employees that feel overwhelmed or exhausted since 2022 (40% in 2025 vs. 48% in 2022). This number spikes to 46%, however, among caregivers, a group which represents nearly half of the global workforce. Caregivers have kept high levels of flexibility, which is vital for them but puts them at risk of disconnecting from work. This makes it increasingly important to curate workspaces that foster wellbeing, growth and meet employee needs. This point is further underscored when considering retention – while salary (46%) and flexibility (37%) remain fundamental to retain employees seeking new roles, one third of employees report they would leave their current employer in search of better career development and reskilling opportunities. The same proportion is re-evaluating the role work plays in their lives.

Of those employees considering leaving their work environment in the coming months (24%), trends emerge among managers, representing 77% of this group and caregivers (61%) – often overlapping, mid-career individuals with significant work and personal responsibilities. Other at-risk groups include employees who have been at their company for 1-5 years and workers aged 18-34.

Retention is now driven by how employers respond to the full span of employees’ lives, creating an opportunity for office space to play a more important and intentional role in building a sense of culture, wellbeing and belonging.