Workplace trends and mindsets we are leaving in 2025: The Either-Or Mindset

Flexible and hybrid work are no longer experiments. They’re the operating reality for most organizations – yet many of the mindsets, models, and assumptions shaping workplace decisions are still rooted in a pre-hybrid world.

As we move into 2026, it’s time to let go of outdated thinking: one-size-fits-all policies, office-first assumptions, and decisions made without data, or sustainability in mind.

This mini blog series explores the ideas we’re leaving behind and the principles we’re embracing instead. From moving past the “main office or fully-remote” mindset to designing hybrid work around real team needs, using data to guide decisions, and building office portfolios that are both flexible and sustainable.

Because the future of work isn’t about choosing between office or remote. It’s about creating smarter, more intentional ways of working — for people, teams, and the planet.

What we are leaving in 2025 part 1: The Either-Or Mindset

→ Instead we explore how distributed, curated workspace networks replace single-address thinking without having to let go of the HQ entirely.

In the past, office was synonymous with one address. One headquarters. One place where work was expected to happen, five days a week. Everything else was an exception.

That mindset no longer reflects how work actually happens.

In 2026, the question isn’t whether employees will work outside the main office – it’s how well organizations support that reality. Teams are already distributed across cities, countries, and time zones. Yet many workplace strategies still revolve around a single “center of gravity” that assumes everyone will orbit around it.

The result? Underutilized headquarters, long commutes, fragmented collaboration, and employees left to figure out workable spaces on their own.

Moving beyond “on-site working 5-days a week” doesn’t mean abandoning headquarters altogether and moving to fully-remote set-up. The HQ still plays an important role in culture, collaboration, and shared moments. But it can no longer be the only answer.

Local means access, not an address

Modern workplace strategies recognize that local doesn’t mean one building – it means access to professional, well-equipped spaces close to where people actually live and work. Access to meeting rooms and team spaces when teams need to come together. Access to flexibility without sacrificing quality or consistency. At Spacent, our goal is to make this reality for everyone. That’s why we are building a network of quality workspaces that can be curated for the unique needs of each company wanting to expand their mindset when it comes to workplaces. Currently, there are over 1000 spaces available as a part of the Spacent Network across Europe.

The shift beyond single-address mindset requires a new way of thinking about office portfolios. Instead of asking “How big should our main office be?”, leading organizations ask:

• • • Where do our teams work most effectively?
    • Which activities truly require co-location?
    • How can we support collaboration without forcing unnecessary travel?

   

The answer is not more space, but smarter space.

By complementing the main office with a curated network of flexible workspaces, companies can reduce fixed costs, improve utilization, and support diverse ways of working – all while maintaining visibility and control through data.

Besides providing the employees with the option of flexible workspaces, it is vital to provide employees the tools to utilize the workspaces to their full potential while still staying connected with the team. With the Spacent app, employees are encouraged to connect and collaborate with their colleagues. Team features such as shared bookings and letting your teammates know where you will be working make it easy to plan workdays together even when work happens outside of the HQ.

The future of work isn’t centered around one address. It’s built around people, teams, and the places and tools that help them do their best work.

More on the topic:

Customer story: Swappie scales international offices with Spacent

Spacent Blog: Hybrid Work 2025: Why Global Companies Aren’t Forcing a 5-Day HQ Return

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