Is Working From Home Dead in 2025?

Spoiler: no. But it’s definitely evolving.

If you’ve opened the news anytime in the last six months, you’ve probably seen headlines declaring “WFH IS OVER” with the kind of dramatic flair usually reserved for celebrity breakups and egg shortages.

And yes, employers are getting louder about wanting people back in the office. Yes, some companies are rolling out “mandatory office days” like it’s 2018. And yes, the pushback has been… erm, spirited.

But here’s the thing those headlines don’t mention: Working from home isn’t dead. It’s just acclimatised a little.

In 2025 everyone’s quietly realised the real winner isn’t home or office. It’s somewhere in-between.

The Great Office Comeback (sort of)

There’s no denying the shift. After several years building businesses from dining tables, couches, and very committed favourite cafés, lots of employers are calling people back in. They’re chasing collaboration, culture, and a sense of “togetherness” that definitely took a hit somewhere between Teams calls and everyone talking on mute.

But despite the headlines, the return-to-office push isn’t the full story.

Switched-on employers are seeing what’s been true since 2020: flexibility keeps people happy, loyal, and far more likely to stay.

In fact, the data keeps pointing in the same direction: companies offering genuine hybrid options see better retention, better wellbeing, and fewer “I’m sorry, I’ve thought about it and I’m leaving to work for someone who lets me be a human” conversations.

So WFH isn’t disappearing - it’s just no longer the only answer.

Why neither home nor office is the perfect solution

If you’ve read through any of our previous blog posts (hello, distraction guilt, mental load, Zoom fatigue, and that subtle identity crisis most WFH parents know all too well), you’ll know this:

Working from home is amazing… until it isn’t.

And traditional offices? Great for structure, collaboration, and leaving the house - but not always great for families who live outside the CBD or anyone allergic to commuting.

The perks of working from home

• No commute

• More time for family routines

• Flexibility for school pick-ups, appointments, and real life

• Comfort (and yes, the dog counts as moral support)

The downsides of working from home

• Blurred boundaries

• Loneliness and isolation

• Distraction overload (kids, washing, fridge, repeat)

• Feeling like you’re “always on”

The perks of the office

• Structure and routine

• Social energy

• Clear separation between work and life

• Easier collaboration

The downsides of the office

• Commuting

• Rigid hours

• Not-so-family-friendly for Coasties living a train ride away

• The return of office politics (no thank you)

No environment wins outright. Which is why…

Hybrid is becoming the norm (finally)

This is the sweet spot employers are settling into for 2025: a mix of home + office + local work spaces.

Employees get autonomy, employers get productivity and collaboration, and everyone gets to avoid burnout, resentment and two-hour commutes.

Coworking spaces - especially regional and suburban ones - have quietly become the secret weapon making this possible.

Coworking: the best of both worlds (with snacks)

For Coast locals who don’t want the city commute but also can’t (or don’t want to) work from home full-time, coworking spaces like The Foundry offer:

Structure, without rigidity

You get a dedicated workspace, fast NBN, meeting rooms, and a professional setup - without being chained to a five-day office grind.

Connection, without office politics

The social interaction you miss from the office, minus the awkward kitchen small talk and that “let’s circle back” energy.

Focus, without the home distractions

No laundry. No Paw Patrol in the background. No guilt about stepping over toys.

Professionalism, without the commute

You can do team calls, brainstorming sessions, deep work, and client meetings - from Erina or Gosford, not a train platform.

And if you’re hybrid-employed? It ticks every box employers want too: engagement, wellbeing, flexibility, and a space that supports real productivity.

So… is working from home dead?

Not even close. It’s just shifted into its rightful place as one part of a more balanced, human-friendly way of working.

The future belongs to flexibility, choice and hybrid routines that support your work and your life. And coworking spaces fit right into that future: the local, supportive, community-centric middle ground between your home office and your employer’s CBD tower.

If you’re feeling the shift… come try the hybrid sweet spot for yourself!

A day at The Foundry can remind you how good work can feel when you’re:

• productive

• connected

• and not battling the washing machine for attention

Use code FDFREE to try a casual desk day at Erina or Gosford.