18 Trends Falling Out Of Favor In Today’s Workplace
- Matei Dumitru
- Apr 3
- 5 min read
As technology advances, employee expectations change and market demands shift, businesses are moving away from once-popular workplace practices that may now be hindering more than helping their efforts to drive engagement and morale. From rigid office hierarchies to outdated performance review methods, certain workplace trends are on their way out, and many organizations are looking for better ways to operate.
Below, 18 members of Forbes Coaches Council take a look at workplace practices that are falling out of favor, revealing growing preferences for processes and policies that offer flexibility, efficiency and well-being. Read on to learn why smart companies are leaving these fading trends behind and what they are replacing them with to build strong, supportive workplaces that meet modern employees’ expectations and needs.
1. Hustle Culture
Hustle culture is a trend that is fading as employees recognize that being constantly available and overworking leads to burnout, not success. The glorification of exhaustion—once a badge of honor—is fading, as it is now seen as a lack of self-care and self-worth. Businesses are shifting toward sustainable performance and flexible work models that prioritize well-being without sacrificing results. - Ayesha Masood, Mindful Consulting
2. Manager-Driven Career Development
Reliance on managers for career development and oversight is an outgoing trend. Managers used to watch out for their team’s development needs and advancement, and they were trusted to ensure career stability. Now, people see their managers burning out, getting stuck themselves and not being qualified or connected enough to oversee or advance careers other than their own. - Kelly Byrnes, Voyage Consulting Group
3. The Traditional 9-To-5 Office Model
The traditional 9-to-5 office model is fading fast. Remote and hybrid work, driven by tech advancements and employee demand for flexibility, are reshaping the workplace. Companies embracing this shift are better positioned to attract and retain top talent while cutting costs. - Maryam Daryabegi, Innovation Bazar
4. Micromanagement
A prime example of a fading workplace trend is micromanagement. This approach resembles an attempt to control every particle of an ecosystem, treating each team member merely as a cog in a complex machine. However, within the sphere of startups and among modern executives, this method is being replaced by paradigms that prioritize autonomy, disruptive creativity and the inherent humanization of the corporate environment. - Tami Saito
5. Top-Down Performance Reviews
The top-down performance review is being replaced with a conversation between the boss and the employee. While the boss is still evaluating the employee, the employee is eager to give the boss some feedback about what would work better. Innovative bosses engage employees in a learning conversation to optimize the relationship, communication and to offer focused training to support the employee’s growth. - Katy MacKinnon Hansell, Katy Hansell Impact Partners
6. Casual Attire
With the return-to-office trend and increased competition in the job market, workplace attire is shifting away from the casual comfort of the pandemic era. Hoodies and sweatpants are being replaced with more polished business casual and professional dress as “dressing for success” makes a comeback. - Donna Grego-Heintz, UpWords
7. Forced Fun
Forced fun—think mandatory team-building activities, virtual happy hours and cringeworthy icebreakers—is finally losing its grip. Employees want real connection, not scheduled enthusiasm. Smart leaders are replacing performative bonding with organic collaboration, like cross-team problem-solving sessions that build relationships while driving meaningful work. - Alla Adam, Adam Impact Institute
8. Do-It-Yourself Work Methods
DIY is on its way out. The workforce is interested in collective success that includes smart technology, such as AI, integrated into every aspect of business. AI is an augmentation of the human experience. We can still be human-centered, but working faster and smarter is the way forward. AI will facilitate that as a starting point. It’s an equalizer in many ways. The workforce will be able to curate instead. - Miriam Simon, Mi Sí Coaching and Consulting LLC
9. The ‘All-Knowing Leader’
One workplace trend that seems to be on its way out is the illusion of the “all-knowing leader”—the idea that leaders must have all the answers, make decisions in isolation and project unwavering certainty at all times. Employees no longer want a leader who dictates from the top; they want a leader who listens, learns and adapts. - Veronica Angela, CONQUER EDGE, LLC
10. The ‘Culture Fit’ Mindset
A trend fading from the workplace is the strict “culture fit” mindset. Today, organizations are embracing the idea of a “culture add,” valuing candidates who bring unique strengths that enhance, rather than just mirror, existing dynamics. This shift drives innovation and expansion, making the workplace more adaptable and inclusive. - Diana Lowe, Blue Light Leadership
11. ‘Quiet Quitting’
The “quiet quitting” trend of 2022 and 2023 is fading as workers shift from passive resistance to actively defining work-life balance. Instead of disengaging, they seek roles that align with their values, resist overwork and negotiate for flexibility. Companies are also easing rigid return-to-office mandates and prioritizing purpose over presence, leading to a more balanced, human-centered workplace. - Keirsten Greggs, TRAP Recruiter, LLC
12. Overwork
The whole workaholic badge of honor is on its way out. These days, it’s more of a red flag for poor time management than a sign of dedication. Pretty much everyone knows burnout is real—it’s bad for the individual and it’s bad for business. - Kelly Stine, The Leading Light Coach
13. Great Customer Service
As technology advances, great customer service is declining. AI and chatbots are becoming the norm, gaining efficiency but losing the human touch. Workers shouldn’t fear picking up the phone to make a call instead of relying on texts or messages. It’s too easy to hide behind technology, preventing human connection and relationship building. - Steve Walsh, Exceptional Transformations LLC
14. Rigor And Hard Work
In the era of shortcuts and quick screen scrolls, unfortunately, among trends on their way out are rigor and hard work. The need for instant gratification is hurting creative potential. Originality needs time and effort; however, quick fixes and instant searches are leading to more and more mediocre outputs. - Dr. Chetan Walia, Chetan Walia Consulting
15. Command-And-Control Leadership Models
The command-and-control leadership model is steadily becoming obsolete in workplaces. Rooted in hierarchy, rigid authority and top-down decision-making, it stifles creativity, agility and employee engagement. In today’s dynamic, knowledge-driven economy, organizations thrive on collaboration, empowerment and adaptive leadership—favoring influence over authority and innovation over routines. - Dr. Adil Dalal, Pinnacle Process Solutions, Intl., LLC
16. One-Size-Fits-All Policies
Overly rigid, one-size-fits-all workplace policies are fading as companies prioritize employee experience over control. Organizations are realizing that flexibility, autonomy and purpose-driven work foster engagement and retention far more than outdated mandates. The shift is toward outcomes, well-being and meaningful connection, ensuring employees feel valued, motivated and invested. - Carlos Hoyos, Elite Leader Institute
17. Wellness Programs
Traditional wellness programs—like mandatory mindfulness sessions or occasional wellness challenges—are losing steam. They feel like quick fixes that don’t address deeper issues. Employees prefer to focus on things that actually impact their daily lives: better work-life balance, real mental health support and jobs designed in a way that reduces stress. The old perks don’t cut it anymore. - Rudhir Krishtel, Krishtel LLC
18. Return-To-Office Mandates
Return-to-office mandates are fading as companies recognize that flexibility fuels productivity and retention. Employees have proven they can excel remotely, and businesses embracing hybrid or results-based work models are winning the talent war. Rigid in-office policies are giving way to trust, autonomy and well-being as key drivers of engagement and performance. - Lynda Silsbee, Alliance for Leadership Acceleration
