Futuresource Evolution of Work Survey

Futuresource Consulting's latest primary research examines how employees work in today's evolving workplace, covering AI adoption, hybrid working, collaboration, workplace technology, software usage and workforce readiness.

Based on responses from 3,075 employees across France, Germany, India, Japan, the UK and the US, the study explores the realities of office, home and hybrid working. It highlights the opportunities and challenges organisations face as distributed work models mature, providing actionable insight into the technologies, tools and strategies that support employee productivity and collaboration.

AI use is mainstream among workers, with 67% of the sample having used AI for work purposes in the past week. While use of standalone tools was more common, 35% of the sample had recently used specialist tools. AI is moving from niche product to everyday assistant.

However, organisations are struggling to ensure their AI training and policies keep pace with adoption. 40% of employees had received no AI training or guidance. Additionally, 47% of the sample had some worries about the use of AI in the workplace.

Workers value flexibility and choice in their work arrangements - there is no single ‘best’ way to work. 42% favour hybrid, 36% favour office-based, and 23% prefer fully flexible or remote working.

| Introduction & Methodology

| Executive Summary

| AI Use in the Workforce

| Working Patterns and Locations

| Office-based Working: Desks and Desk Booking

| Office-based Working: Technology Usage

| In-person and Virtual Meetings

| Remote Working: Working Spaces and Adoption of Technology

| Software and Virtual Solutions

| Workplace Preparedness

| Conclusion 

  • Behaviours surrounding hybrid working across France, Germany, India, Japan, the UK and the US.
  • Differences between small, medium, large and largest enterprises.
  • Attitudes of more than 3,000 employees, who use a computer (laptop or desktop) during their working day, and work from home (WFH), from the office (WFO), or a combination of the two.

Futuresource has been carrying out specialist primary market research for more than 30 years, uncovering strategically significant insights and trends. This publication is one in a series of research reports, produced to provide businesses with a fully rounded view of the commercial market.

 

Any business operating within the enterprise technology space will benefit from this report, particularly:

  •  Manufacturers and their suppliers
  •  Intermediaries and supply chain
  •  Retailers
  •  Enterprise technology market strategists, marketing and sales   professionals
  •  Investors

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the Evolution of Work Survey?

The Evolution of Work Survey is Futuresource Consulting’s latest primary research into how employees are working across the modern workplace. It examines AI adoption, hybrid and office-based working, meetings and collaboration, workplace technology, homeworking setups, software use and employee preparedness. 

Workplace behaviour is becoming more settled in some areas, and changing rapidly in others. Hybrid working is now firmly established, but AI adoption is accelerating much faster than training, guidance and policies. 

The report explores both sides of that picture, helping organisations understand how working practices, employee expectations and technology requirements are developing together. 

The research examines how widely AI is being used, which types of tools employees are adopting, what they use them for, and how attitudes differ by seniority, organisation size and country. 

It also looks at AI agents, embedded and standalone tools, employer training and governance, employee concerns, and the barriers preventing further adoption. 

The study compares where employees currently work with where they would prefer to work, as well as the factors drawing them into the office or encouraging them to work from home. 

It also explores which tasks employees prefer to carry out in each location, attitudes towards working-hour flexibility, commuting and office attendance, giving organisations a more nuanced view than a simple home-versus-office comparison. 

The report examines the devices and accessories employees use across office and home environments, including laptops, monitors, headphones and headsets, smartphones, webcams and other peripherals. 

It also explores device portability between locations, employer and employee purchasing behaviour, dual work-and-personal use, desk-booking systems, collaboration platforms and gaps in homeworking setups. 

The survey investigates both in-person and virtual meeting behaviour, including meeting frequency, preferred formats, participation in hybrid meetings and common technology problems. 

It also examines how employees use platforms including Microsoft Teams, Zoom and Google Meet, alongside messaging, shared-document editing and other collaboration features. 

The research covers France, Germany, India, Japan, the UK and the US, with the sample split across the six markets. 

Respondents span different organisation sizes, industries, job functions and levels of seniority, from entry-level and professional employees through to senior management and C-Suite executives. 

No. This is primary employee research designed to show how people are working, what technology they are using and how their attitudes and behaviours are developing. 

Its value lies in providing a detailed, current view of workplace demand and behaviour that can be used alongside market forecasts, sales data and other strategic intelligence. 

The report is particularly relevant to organisations operating across workplace technology, enterprise IT, collaboration, communications, Pro AV and consumer electronics. 

It will also be useful for product, strategy, marketing and workplace teams seeking to understand how employee behaviour is influencing technology requirements, purchasing decisions, hybrid-work policies and the wider employee experience. 

The research can help organisations identify where workplace technology demand is developing, where employee needs remain underserved and how behaviours vary by market, seniority and organisation size. 

For technology providers, it provides evidence to support product development, positioning and go-to-market decisions. For employers and workplace teams, it offers insight into AI readiness, hybrid policies, collaboration environments and technology provision. 

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