GLOBAL WORKPLACE SURVEY 2025

Human connection and collective work are fundamental elements of getting work done. Our data shows that in the U.S., time spent working with others in person has increased since the pandemic, while socializing has nearly doubled — a trend observed in most of the 15 countries we surveyed. These shared experiences strengthen relationships, reinforce cultural norms, and foster a sense of community among colleagues.

This global report presents insights from the Gensler Research Institute’s latest survey of more than 16,800 full-time office workers across 15 countries and 10 industries. Our goal was to uncover what employees value most, what they need from the office/work environment, and how workplaces can be better designed to support all forms of in-person work. Taking a human-centered approach, we explored how employees perceive their workday — from office design and available space types, to team dynamics, desired amenities, and preferred work experiences beyond the traditional office.

Our 2025 Global Workplace Survey reveals how great design starts with people in mind. That means creating a workplace that can help people get work done — both individually and collectively. And it means designing for a workforce that thrives on meaningful interactions — creating high-performance workplaces where an organization and its employees accomplish their shared goals together.

We measure how people work across five work modes.

Gensler has measured how people work for 20 years. We study how employees work across five work modes: working alone, working with others in-person, working with others virtually, learning/professional development, and socializing, which includes connecting and networking. A key finding reveals that across the globe, time spent working with others in-person continues to increase while working alone continues to steadily decrease. This foundational research provides new insights into how the nature of work and employee expectations are changing in 2025 and beyond.