We're taking a moment to shed light on some unsavory, in our opinion, workplace trends that have been gaining momentum. While we’re usually excitedly sharing new and interesting trends, this month we're putting on our critical thinking caps and saying "ehhh, yea, maybe not" to a few emerging beliefs that don't align with our defining core value: people first, always.

Just because something is trending doesn't necessarily mean it's good for humans at work. And just because it promises efficiency or results doesn't mean it's worth the human cost. So we’re going to dive into three workplace trends that have us raising our eyebrows (and our voices) because they miss the mark on putting people first, in a pretty major way. 

We're spotlighting how certain workplace deal-breakers are turning into new, exciting, and totally acceptable norms. 

What do we mean by new norms? 

Not too long ago, "sorry, I need to leave at 5" would be career-limiting. "I'm working from a coffee shop today" could be grounds for dismissal. “I need a mental health day,” would have been a shocking admission and request. 

But (thankfully) the tides are changing… 

In the wake of the pandemic, the Great Reassessment was a period when both employers are employees reevaluated work norms and expectations. While some employers are trying to revert back to the way things were, many are recognizing that honoring life experience outside of the office leads to more well-rounded, resilient workers. 

Former red flags are no longer outright deal-breakers. In some cases, they’re the opposite. And you won’t be surprised to hear that we at GCC believe it’s high time to embrace these human-forward changes (and are happy to report that manya of our clients are embracing this shift with open arms!). 

Here's our exploration of some former workplace warning signs that are transforming into green flags, or at very least, beige flags (and honestly, it's about time)...

The 2025 recruiting scene is a perfect example of the both/and dynamic (multiple things can be true). Employers want to sell why their company is the best place to work, and engagement rates have never been lower. They want to be sure that when they make a hire, it sticks. And they’re also getting called out for corporate catfishing. Recruiters face a stressful pile of resumes, hoping that one person is the right fit. And they may be prioritizing a candidate meeting 100% of the qualifications instead of spotting potential. Job seekers spend hours looking for and applying for jobs, only for their customized CV to land in the application portal abyss because it lacked keywords. This can all feel immensely stressful 🫠

We're officially back to school, and it's looking more like 1995 than 2004!

Well, in one key sense... a new trend is emerging in schools across the globe: phone-free learning. Companies like Yondr are providing innovative solutions to create distraction-free learning environments.

🌟 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐌𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐫 🌟

Our leadership audiences have a large Millennial contingent these days. (I vividly remember when I was a younger speaker and that was not the case!) With these more Millennial leadership crowds, we're noticing a shift in what they want to learn and how they envision the future. Look no further than social media's multitude of videos tagged #MillennialManager and you'll hear how others think about them too. I'll save you from the research deep-dive and share some highlights and lowlights we're seeing with this Gen Y management takeover. **But first, the ever important caveat: these are trends and not indicative of individuals! Also, every generation has changed organizations as they take the leadership helm, this is simply a reflection of the current impact of Millennials in management.**

While we are not, in fact, miracle workers or magicians, we do strongly subscribe to the idea that work not only doesn’t have to suck, but can actually be rewarding and enjoyable.