As the global workplace continues to evolve post-pandemic, the tension between technological advancement and human experience is more palpable than ever. Ivanti, a leading enterprise software company specializing in IT and security solutions, has released its 2025 Technology at Work Report: Reshaping Flexible Work, offering a sobering yet insightful look into the modern employee mindset.
The study, which surveyed over 6,000 office workers and 1,200 IT and cybersecurity professionals, reveals deep concerns around GenAI, productivity pressure, job satisfaction, and a growing mismatch between employee expectations and corporate mandates. Amid economic uncertainty, stagnant mobility, and increasing return-to-office (RTO) policies, the research emphasizes a need for empathy-driven innovation, ethical AI governance, and a renewed focus on flexibility and psychological safety.
Trends and Insights from Ivanti’s 2025 Report
1. GenAI: From Secret Productivity Boost to Source of Anxiety
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42% of employees now use generative AI (GenAI) at work — up from 26% in 2024.
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However, 32% keep their AI use hidden from employers:
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36% say it’s a “secret advantage” they prefer not to reveal.
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30% fear job cuts as AI efficiency rises.
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27% experience AI-fueled imposter syndrome, fearing they’ll be seen as less capable.
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Insight: While GenAI boosts efficiency, it also breeds anxiety. Employees fear replacement and judgment, leading to secrecy and mental health concerns. Companies must address this cultural and ethical gap.
2. Resenteeism and Presenteeism on the Rise
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48% of employees report resenteeism—disliking their job but staying in it.
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39% admit to presenteeism—being present at work just to be seen, not to be productive.
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These trends are linked to low motivation, lack of recognition, and poor communication between workers and leadership.
Risk Factor: These behaviors reduce genuine productivity, strain morale, and create long-term risks for retention and innovation.
3. Employees Want More Flexibility—And Will Quit to Get It
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54% of Gen Z and 53% of millennials say they’d leave a job for more flexible work conditions.
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48% of all employees interpret inflexible schedules as a sign that their employer doesn’t value them.
Implication: Younger employees are not just requesting flexibility — they are demanding it as a baseline for employment.
4. IT Workers Face Pressure Amid Limited Flexibility
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83% of IT professionals say flexible work is essential.
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However, only 25% describe their current roles as highly flexible.
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64% feel pressured to return to physical offices.
The tech sector faces a dangerous disconnect. IT professionals—critical to digital infrastructure—are not receiving the flexibility they champion for others, risking burnout and attrition.
5. AI: Both a Solution and a Source of Complexity
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While AI is poised to help simplify operations, 46% of IT professionals report an increase in support tickets due to new software deployments.
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These growing demands create technical debt, worsen data silos, and complicate digital ecosystems.
Takeaway: Until organizations optimize their tech stack and invest in integration, AI will continue to compound rather than solve complexity.
6. After-Hours Work Habits Persist Despite RTO Mandates
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85% of employees still log in remotely after hours, even with increasing RTO enforcement.
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Activities include checking emails, completing tasks, and emergency troubleshooting.
Security Concern: Companies must ensure secure, manageable access to both in-office and remote work environments—especially with hybrid schedules becoming the norm.
Recommendations for Employers: Balancing Innovation with Empathy
A. Build Transparent, Ethical AI Governance
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Involve employees in AI decision-making.
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Clearly communicate how AI tools support—not replace—workforces.
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Provide training and guidelines for safe, sanctioned AI use.
B. Redesign Flexibility with Accountability
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Offer autonomy in where and how work gets done.
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Focus on outcomes, not hours or locations.
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Create policies that support both productivity and mental well-being.
C. Address Emotional Drivers of Disengagement
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Recognize symptoms of presenteeism and resenteeism.
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Improve feedback systems and offer real pathways for growth.
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Support mental health initiatives, mentorship, and internal mobility.
D. Prepare IT Teams for a Hybrid, AI-Augmented Future
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Invest in integration tools to reduce tech overload.
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Reduce ticket volumes with AI-powered support—only after proper implementation.
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Offer flexible work environments to retain top tech talent.
The Future of Work Demands Empathetic Innovation
Ivanti’s 2025 Technology at Work Report makes one thing clear: technological progress must be matched with human-centered strategy. While GenAI, hybrid work, and digital transformation offer immense potential, they also come with emotional and ethical responsibilities.
For businesses to truly thrive in 2025 and beyond, the challenge is not simply about adopting new tools—but earning the trust of the people who use them. Flexibility, autonomy, transparency, and psychological safety are no longer perks—they are the pillars of sustainable success.
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