The Top 5 Workforce Trends to Bury in 2025: Before They Haunt Your Small Business
October is here, and while Halloween brings its share of spooky fun, it’s also a great time to reflect on the workplace habits that may be quietly haunting your business.
As we look ahead to 2026, now’s the time to identify which outdated trends should be laid to rest, and what to replace them with to keep your team engaged, productive, and thriving.
Here are five workforce practices that small businesses should consider retiring before they creep into the new year:
1. Ghosting Candidates and Employees
In today’s competitive hiring landscape, communication matters more than ever. Leaving candidates or employees hanging, whether during the interview process or after performance reviews, can damage your reputation and make it harder to attract top talent.
Bury it: Build a consistent communication process that keeps candidates informed and employees engaged. Even a quick update shows respect and professionalism.
2. Outdated Job Descriptions
Job postings that haven’t been updated in years can feel lifeless and irrelevant. They don’t reflect your current needs, and they don’t excite potential applicants.
Bury it: Refresh your job descriptions with clear responsibilities, growth opportunities, and a snapshot of your company culture. Make them feel current and compelling.
3. Ineffective Onboarding
A confusing or underwhelming onboarding experience can leave new hires feeling disconnected and unsure of their role. That’s a missed opportunity to build loyalty and momentum from day one.
Bury it: Create a structured onboarding plan that helps new employees feel welcomed, informed, and ready to contribute. A strong start leads to stronger retention.
4. Burnout Culture
Overworking your team might seem like a necessary hustle, but it’s a fast track to disengagement and turnover. Burnout is one of the biggest threats to long-term productivity.
Bury it: Encourage work-life balance, offer wellness resources, and check in regularly. A healthy team is a high-performing team.
5. Limited Growth Opportunities
Employees want to grow, and if they don’t see a path forward, they’ll start looking elsewhere. Lack of development is a quiet but powerful driver of turnover.
Bury it: Invest in training, mentorship, and career development. Even small businesses can offer meaningful growth with the right mindset and support.
Build a Stronger Workplace with a PEO
If managing all of this feels overwhelming, you’re not alone. Partnering with a PEO (Professional Employer Organization) can help you streamline HR, payroll, compliance, and benefits, giving you more time to focus on your business and your people.
PEOs also offer access to competitive health plans and scalable solutions that grow with your business, helping you stay ahead of workforce challenges without adding more to your plate.
Ready to Leave These Trends Behind?
Outdated workforce trends don’t have to follow you into 2026. Whether you're looking to improve hiring, strengthen your culture, or rethink your HR strategy, we’re here to help. Our Small Business Essentials Resource Hub offers a variety of tools and solutions designed to help you manage costs, support your team, and stay competitive.
Contact us today to find the right path for your business – and start building a stronger workplace for the year ahead!