by Kevin Empey, International Head of Future of Work Strategy & Solutions at Lockton
Five years on from COVID-19, the workplace continues to evolve as employers and employees navigate the lasting impact of the pandemic. Already in 2025 we have seen a marked increase in calls for more in-person attendance in office-based organisations, the shift highlights growing tensions between traditional work structures and the flexible, employee-centric policies that have gained traction in recent years.
Flexibility, work-life balance, and well-being are now core employee expectations, not perks. These trends were already emerging before the pandemic, and reversing them entirely is unlikely. Employers who fail to offer some level of flexibility risk losing talent to competitors that do.
The CSO data shows that employment in Q4 2024 reached 2.8 million, an increase of 2.6pc (70,000 more people) compared to the same period in 2023. This sustained jobs growth highlights a strong labour market, giving employees greater leverage in job opportunities, wages, and workplace benefits.
The CSO report also reveals that by Q4 2024, average hourly earnings rose 6.2pc year-on-year, marking a 24.7pc increase over five years, with gains across all sectors.
Now more than ever businesses are grappling with rising costs, including statutory sick pay, auto-enrolment pensions, and increased PRSI contributions, leading some to reconsider the long-term sustainability of flexible work policies.
But while industries like investment banking maintain traditional, in-office cultures, most sectors now require flexibility to attract and retain top talent. Leading companies are embracing gig workers, contractors, and global talent to boost agility and productivity.
The future of work will depend on how well businesses balance flexibility, financial sustainability, and evolving workforce expectations. With new generations entering the workforce and AI transforming job design, workplace evolution is set to continue.
