Six months ago, we published a paper titled “Top Workforce Management Challenges in 2025 & How Workforce Management Software Can Help.” At the time, our insights were backed by industry survey data highlighting the top issues HR leaders expected to face in the year ahead. From employee retention and engagement to managing remote work and AI adoption, the challenges were clear, and the stakes were high.
So, what’s changed?
While we haven’t conducted a fresh survey, conversations with our clients, ongoing market analysis, and trends from industry reports suggest something important: the challenges haven’t gone away, but the urgency around solving them has only increased.
Here’s a look at how the workforce management landscape is evolving and why the solutions we outlined in our original paper remain just as critical, if not more so, today.
1. Retention Is Still the Top Concern
Voluntary turnover remains high across many industries. Six months on, we’re seeing organisations deepen their investment in employee experience, especially around flexible working, recognition, and feedback tools. Workforce management software is a game-changer here, offering analytics and automation that help identify and mitigate attrition risks.
2. Hybrid Workforces Require Even Smarter Scheduling
The hybrid model is now fully embedded, and with it comes heightened complexity in managing time, attendance, and equitable workloads. Employers are shifting from ad-hoc flexibility to formalised, data-driven scheduling — an area where workforce management software shines by balancing business needs with employee preferences.
3. Well-being and Burnout Are Escalating Priorities
Employee burnout isn’t easing. In fact, with growing economic pressures and ongoing productivity demands, employee well-being is under greater threat. Organisations are using workforce software to spot signs of stress earlier—through trends in absence, overtime, and shift patterns—and are taking more proactive steps to intervene.
4. Skills Development Now Tied to Strategic Planning
Skills tracking and upskilling are no longer just “HR projects”—they’re directly tied to workforce planning and operational continuity. Employers are using workforce management platforms not only to monitor compliance and certifications but to map skill gaps and training progress in real-time.
5. AI Is In, But Needs Guardrails
Interest in AI has exploded, but many HR leaders remain cautious. Workforce management software that incorporates AI responsibly—keeping humans in control and ensuring transparency—is proving key to building trust and adoption.
6. Compliance Complexity Is Growing
Labour law updates, pay transparency regulations, and industry-specific compliance requirements have only increased in recent months. The organisations staying ahead are those with digital systems that can automatically flag risks, enforce policies, and provide clear audit trails.
Looking Ahead
While we may not have fresh survey numbers, the day-to-day realities of our customers and partners make one thing clear: the issues HR leaders predicted for 2025 are not only here—they’re accelerating. The difference between treading water and thriving lies in how quickly and confidently organisations can implement scalable, data-driven solutions.
Workforce management software is no longer just a nice-to-have; it’s the foundation of future-ready HR operations. If you’re revisiting your workforce strategy for the second half of 2025, now’s the time to ensure your tools are keeping pace with your people.
Want to learn more about how our solutions can support your team?
Request a Demo today.
