Digitization, Flexibility to Shape HR Practices in 2025: PwC

By 2025, the workplace is poised to undergo profound transformations driven by automation, digitization, and demographic shifts, presenting both opportunities and challenges for organizations, says PwC. In the “The Way We Work – in 2025 and Beyond”  survey, PwC analyzes the key trends shaping the future of work, highlighting areas where HR teams must adapt to thrive in an evolving landscape.  

According to the survey, automation is expected to make between 20% and 30% of current jobs obsolete within the next decade. Despite this, only 16% of organizations feel adequately prepared to navigate these changes. HR professionals face the dual challenge of integrating automation while addressing workforce disruptions caused by aging populations and a new generation of employees who value flexibility and purpose over traditional job structures.  

“Instead of viewing technology as a tool for automating tasks, companies should adopt it as a copilot that accompanies employees on their journey,” says David González, Partner and North Latam General Director, LLYC, to MBN.

Meanwhile, digitization will redefine the HR function itself. The survey shows that big data analytics will play a pivotal role in workforce planning, equipping employees with essential digital skills, and creating new business models. HR departments are increasingly seen as centers of excellence, with routine transactional tasks outsourced. 

“The future of HR extends beyond adopting new technologies or complying with emerging regulations; it involves redefining what it means to manage talent in an increasingly digital, volatile, and interconnected world,” says Alejandro Ureña, Co-Founder, Evolutive Agency.

The survey also identifies a shift in talent management, with an increasing emphasis on flexibility and diverse career models. Nearly half of respondents anticipate that employees will hold multiple jobs simultaneously, also known as polyworking, requiring HR to develop systems capable of managing nontraditional career paths and facilitating open, ongoing feedback. The shift toward polyworking is particularly prominent among millennials and Gen Z professionals. For these individuals, traditional notions of job stability and loyalty to a single employer hold less appeal, as reported by MBN.

PwC’s findings underscore the need for HR leaders to proactively address these trends to remain competitive. By fostering adaptability, leveraging technology, and reimagining traditional practices, organizations can navigate the uncertainties of 2025 and beyond while positioning themselves for long-term success, says the company.