5 future of work trends following the shift to remote working

Once a visionary concept rather than a practical approach, the hybrid workplace has become the standard way of working for Australian organisations and continues to drive new workplace trends.

The shift to flexible work required millions of businesses worldwide to change how they operate. While some found the transition to remote work easy, given the flexibility and technology already built into the company culture, others found it far more challenging.

Organisations around the world continue to refine their hybrid workplace strategies, proactively optimising processes and technology to support distributed teams. Now is the time to consider the trends that will determine what's next.

The way we work has been forever changed. According to Cisco's 2025 Global Hybrid Work Study, 69% of managers say hybrid work has improved their teams' performance. Businesses must now consider how hybrid working will continue to evolve the workplace.

Future of work trend #1: A mature hybrid approach

Hybrid work has moved beyond experimentation into a mature, established model. According to Zoom's 2025 research, 64% of employees report their companies currently operate in a hybrid model, and 75% of business leaders expect their companies to change the nature of their workplace by 2026.

This involves cultivating an innovative hybrid working model that empowers employees to move seamlessly between co-located and remote work. It also changes the requirements of the actual physical space of the office, with the hybrid office serving as a 'hub' for collaboration and connection rather than simply a place to do work.

To support this mature approach, organisations need robust digital workplace solutions that enable seamless transitions between work locations. Kyocera Cloud Print and Scan allows employees to print securely from any location, while Enterprise Content Management solutions ensure documents are accessible wherever staff are working.

Future of work trend #2: Activity-based working (ABW) continues to evolve

Activity-based working helps employees and employers improve workplace efficiency and productivity. The ABW work style, in which employees choose from a variety of settings based on their tasks, has become increasingly popular as organisations optimise their office spaces for collaboration.

Modern ABW environments incorporate technology-enabled spaces that support both individual-focused work and team collaboration. Organisations are designing offices with quiet zones, collaboration hubs, video-conferencing rooms, and hot-desking areas to accommodate diverse work styles.

Future of work trend #3: A focus on employee health and wellbeing

With hybrid working now established, organisations continue to prioritise the health, safety and well-being of their employees. This extends beyond physical workspace considerations to encompass mental health support, work-life balance and ergonomic home office setups.

Office spaces now commonly include wellness amenities, increased automation through sensor lighting and contactless technology, and touch-free devices such as mobile-friendly printers. Kyocera's multifunction devices support touchless printing through mobile apps and card authentication, reducing shared touchpoints while maintaining productivity.

Future of work trend #4: Expanded flexible working capacity

Hybrid working and ABW are built on the principles of flexibility and trust, allowing employees to choose when, where, and how they work, as long as the work gets done. This represents a broader cultural shift that challenges traditional ways of thinking about work. Work is becoming increasingly a thing you do rather than a place you go. As business leaders shift their focus to outcomes over inputs, this enables greater flexibility for employees to decide when, where, and how they work.

According to Owl Labs' 2025 State of Hybrid Work Report, 69% of managers say hybrid work has improved their teams' performance. The benefits of increased flexibility in the workplace include:

• Improved employee retention and job satisfaction
• Better work-life balance and reduced burnout
• Increased productivity through focused work time
• Access to a broader talent pool, unrestricted by geography
• Reduced commuting time and associated costs

To enable this flexibility, organisations need technology that works seamlessly across locations. Kyocera's Intelligent Automation Platform streamlines workflows regardless of where employees work, while Process Automation Services eliminate manual tasks that can slow distributed teams.

Future of work trend #5: Digitally inclusive spaces

The way we work has changed, so the office design needs to adapt. As hybrid work increases, central workspaces must be inclusive of all employees, regardless of location, to enable effective collaboration and communication between co-located and remote staff.

Organisations need to consider how to store and manage digital files effectively, and how to optimise physical spaces for virtual connections, using tools such as video screens, appropriate acoustics, and meeting room layouts.

Key technologies for digitally inclusive hybrid workplaces include:

Cloud document management: Kyocera Capture Manager captures information from any source and routes it to cloud storage, ensuring all team members have access to the documents they need, regardless of location.

Unified communication platforms: Video conferencing, instant messaging and collaboration tools that integrate seamlessly to connect distributed teams.

Secure remote printing: Kyocera Cloud Packages enable employees to print from anywhere while maintaining document security through features like secure print release and user authentication.

Process automation: KESTO automates invoice processing and other routine tasks, ensuring workflows continue to run smoothly regardless of location.

Rapid changes in the workplace and the acceleration in the adoption of digital technologies have fast-tracked the future of work. It's time to act now and prepare your business for the future. Visit our Smarter Workplaces hub to learn more about implementing an effective hybrid workplace strategy.

Kyocera Document Solutions provides innovative products, software and ICT services for hybrid work environments, enabling businesses to implement smart workplace solutions that drive business transformation and resilience.