New Report Highlights 2025 Workplace Trends: Flexibility, Transparency, and Equity Take Center Stage

beqom’s latest survey of 1,878 employees reveals evolving workplace expectations and provides actionable insights for employers to attract and retain top talent in a competitive landscape.
NYON, SWITZERLAND—beqom, a purpose-built compensation platform that helps organizations thrive by unlocking the full potential of their talent, has released its highly anticipated 2025 Compensation and Culture Report: Addressing Transparency, Flexibility, and Diversity, providing actionable insights for employers seeking to attract and retain top talent in an evolving workplace landscape.
Based on a survey of 1,878 employees across the US and UK, the report sheds light on key challenges and opportunities for employers, including inflation-driven financial strain, the demand for flexibility, the need for fair and transparent pay practices, and the importance of advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI).
As employers enter a pivotal year for redefining workplace culture, the findings highlight actionable opportunities to enhance employee engagement, build trust, and foster loyalty.
"The 2025 Compensation and Culture Report makes it clear that employers have an incredible opportunity to shape the future of work by addressing the issues that matter most to employees: trust, flexibility, and equity,” says Tanya Jansen, beqom co-founder and CMO. “By focusing on transparency, fair pay, and DEI initiatives, companies can create cultures that attract top talent and ensure long-term loyalty.”

2025 Compensation and Culture Report
Download the full report now to learn how you can address employee concerns and position your organization for success in 2025.
Key findings
Employees Want Financial Security
- Only 49% of employees reported that their salaries were adjusted to match inflation in 2024, with US employees seeing even lower rates (40%).
- 32% of employees said new hires at their company are being paid more than experienced, tenured employees, highlighting concerns over pay compression.
- 39% believe their company’s pay rates are below industry norms, and 47% identified wage stagnation as a key concern.
Flexibility Is Non-Negotiable
- 72% of employees said more flexible working hours would convince them to switch jobs, while 52% would leave for an employer that did not mandate in-office attendance.
- 45% of employees have caregiving responsibilities, with 30% of these workers considering leaving the workforce due to caregiving challenges.
Transparency and Fair Pay Build Trust—but Employers Are Falling Short
- Only 54% of employees believe they are paid fairly, with women expressing even lower confidence (49%) compared to men (59%).
- A striking 62% of employees said they don’t know how their total compensation is calculated, and 46% cited a lack of transparency around pay as a top issue.
- In the US, 58% of employees report their employer does not share gender pay gap information, compared to just 34% in the UK.
DE&I Remains a Priority, but Action Is Lagging
- 56% of employees said their employer shared DE&I goals, but only 38% received updates on progress in 2024.
- Employees overwhelmingly support initiatives like equal opportunities for career growth (78%) and fostering inclusive leadership (67%).
Opportunities for employers
These findings point to critical opportunities for organizations to align their strategies with employee expectations and create thriving, resilient workplaces:
- Address Inflation and Pay Transparency:
Employees want clarity around compensation. By adopting pay transparency tools and conducting pay equity audits, employers can rebuild trust and help employees better understand the value of their total rewards. - Embrace Flexibility:
With nearly half of employees balancing caregiving responsibilities, offering flexible working hours, remote work options, or caregiving benefits can significantly improve retention and engagement. - Advance DE&I with Clear Action Plans:
Employees strongly support DE&I initiatives, but skepticism arises when follow-through is inconsistent. Sharing regular updates on DE&I progress and setting measurable goals can foster a more inclusive and equitable workplace. - Leverage Innovation to Address Pay Equity:
Only 5% of companies are using advanced technologies like AI to evaluate pay gaps. Employers that embrace these tools can lead the way in addressing inequities and positioning themselves as forward-thinking, transparent organizations.
The report makes it evident that in a post-pandemic world, flexibility is no longer a perk for workers, but an expectation. Employers who adapt will cultivate stronger engagement and loyalty from their workforce. Employees also are eager for employers to take bold steps on pay transparency and equity. The organizations that meet these expectations will not only build trust but also gain a competitive advantage in attracting and retaining top talent.
To discover the complete findings of beqom’s 2025 Compensation and Culture Report, download the full report.
About the survey
This survey, conducted in November 2024 via Pollfish, polled 1,878 employees across the US and UK to understand their perspectives on key topics such as total compensation, work-life balance, pay transparency, diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I), and the impact of inflation on employee satisfaction. Respondent data was segmented by gender and age group: Gen Z (18–27), Millennials (28–43), Gen X (44–59), and Boomers (60–78).
About beqom
beqom is a purpose-built compensation platform that intuitively gives employers the power to realize compensation’s full potential from end to end, every day. beqom helps the world's leading enterprises leverage their talent through complete, equitable, and transparent performance and rewards.
With unified data, complete pay management solutions, and AI-powered pay intelligence, beqom enables companies to comply with regulatory requirements, optimize compensation decisions, and achieve better business results.