How transformed ways of working have shaped career journeys since Covid-19

The term, the hybrid generation, refers to those who began their working life just as or just before the pandemic struck, or subsequently as lockdown measures began to influence working practices. To a large extent the entirety of their careers to date have been shaped by hybrid and remote working, even including those who have entered and remained in a traditional workplace setting.

BSI’s 2025 Global Workforce Entrants Study, in conjunction with ResPublica, explores how this early career experience has shaped expectations, attitudes and preferences, as well as how it has impacted progression and development, professional relationships and career prospects. This paper draws on analysis from a large-scale survey of young people, as well as secondary sources.

The evolution of the hybrid workplace

The report explores the origins of hybrid and remote working, noting that flexible arrangements began well before 2020, supported by the proliferation of digital tools. Despite this, by 2020 most organizations had not yet fully implemented formal hybrid policies. The onset of Covid-19 significantly disrupted the global labour market, affecting job search behaviour and employment outcomes, including for new entrants, although there were significant regional differences. Since then, hybrid working has further reshaped the career landscape for all workers, presenting both opportunities and challenges.