The workplace trends set to redefine businesses in 2026

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From micro-certifications replacing traditional degrees to the rise of fractional executives, businesses in 2026 will need to embrace these trends to stay competitive.

As workplaces and employees continue to evolve, 2026 will mark a pivotal year for businesses doubling down their focus on their people – not only as their biggest asset, but also one of their greatest investments.

According to International Workplace Group (IWG), organisations will increasingly prioritise their employees, ensuring their teams are being offered the wellbeing, training, development, and new technology-driven learning opportunities they need to thrive in an increasingly dynamic environment.

They are also recognising that productivity and engagement are driven by how, when, and with whom they collaborate rather than solely where they work.

Technological advancements will further accelerate this shift, redefining career pathways around skills rather than traditional degrees. Personalised human-AI collaboration will become an increasingly valuable skill for business success.

Here are some of the key trends set to shape the world of work in 2026:

AI as a work copilot

In 2026, hybrid teams will more regularly integrate AI copilots into their daily operations, automating routine tasks such as admin, knowledge retrieval, and scheduling. This will free employees to focus more on creative work, problem-solving, meaningful relationship-building, and work-life balance, ultimately leading to increased productivity and job satisfaction.

Employers will also increasingly use AI and workplace analytics to create 'personalised hybrid plans' for each employee, including optimised schedules, ideal collaboration days, and preferred office or coworking locations.

Structured multi-location work

Companies of all sizes are moving away from vague hybrid policies toward more structured, multi-office models, empowering teams to work from more convenient places closer to home.

For example, Microsoft has recently announced that by 2026, many of its US employees will work from their nearest office at least three days per week.

Micro-certifications as the new currency

Hybrid workers will increasingly stack bite-sized, skill-focused ‘micro-certifications’ instead of relying on traditional degrees or annual performance reviews.

Employers will support this by funding on-demand learning platforms, creating more agile talent pools and enabling internal mobility with skills becoming more portable and accessible.

Tackling ‘quiet cracking’

Unlike ‘quiet quitting’, where employees deliberately do the bare minimum, ‘quiet cracking’ refers to something subtler: employees who perform but feel mentally and emotionally checked out – leading to burnout, stalled progression, and a lack of purpose.

IWG research showed 57% of workers are more likely to disengage when they feel undervalued or micromanaged. To combat this, companies will prioritise employee wellbeing and flexible work options.

As wellbeing becomes a bigger focus, companies are also expected to move past traditional perks and start using new ‘well-tech’ tools like stress-tracking wearables, AI mental health reminders, and gamified wellness challenges.

Fractional executives on the rise

Economic uncertainty is driving more companies to turn to fractional executives, opting for part-time or contract-based C-suite talent who bring in laser-focused expertise without the cost of full-time appointments.

This flexibility will unlock a unique talent pool, and allow companies to secure world-class strategic insight when needed, while enabling experienced professionals to work across multiple organisations.

A new workforce demographic

Gen Z is entering the workforce with clear expectations that go beyond pay: they prioritise wellness, mental health, flexible hours, and meaningful work that aligns with their core values.

Combined with an aging global population, rising retirements, and widening talent gaps, companies that embrace flexibility, autonomy, and meaningful work will attract and retain the next generation of leaders – those that don’t, risk falling behind.

Building 15-minute cities from scratch

The 15-minute city concept – where work, living, and leisure are all within a short walk or cycle – is entering a new phase in 2026.

In the year ahead, 15-minute cities will be built from the ground up, designed to encourage connectivity, sustainability, and community.

The local loyalty effect

Companies may encourage employees to engage with their communities through volunteerism, local partnerships, or skill-sharing into their workweek, strengthening employer brands while supporting civic engagement, in the communities where employees live and work.