Firms to adopt flexible, accessible offices in 2026

Hybrid setups and 15-minute workplaces are seen to boost employee engagement.

Flexible work arrangements and accessible offices are amongst the workplace trends that will rise in Singapore in 2026, according to International Workplace Group (IWG) report.

Companies will put more emphasis on wellbeing and flexible work options to keep people engaged next year, as 57% of employees reported that they are more likely to disengage from work when they undervalued or micromanaged, the report said.

The city-state ranks second lowest across Southeast Asia for employee engagement, it added.

The firm also predicted that Singapore’s URA Draft Master Plan 2025 will materialise the 15-minute city concept in which work and leisure is accessible within a short walk or cycle in 2026.

Along with the rise of hybrid work arrangements, this will make offices more accessible to employees.

This is amidst employees of the Gen Z demographic rank work-life balance (65%), high wages (62%), and flexible work arrangements (53%) as influences to to stay in a job.

People from Gen Z are also projected to be the largest generation in the workplace by 2035, IWG said.

Research from IWG showed that 62% of Gen Z employees are already coaching older colleagues on how to use artificial intelligence (AI) to boost productivity and efficiency.

In its National AI Strategy 2.0, the government has earmarked over $1b for AI development and deployment over the next five years

Regarding more senior employees, Singapore-based firms sought fractional leaders in 2025 six times more compared to last year, IWG said, citing research from Korn Ferry.

Fractional leaders are part-time or contract-based C-suite talent who bring expertise without the cost of full-time appointments to companies.

In the city-state, the Association of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) is developing a fractional talent model to help SMEs engage senior professionals on a part-time or project basis.

Meanwhile, workplaces are expected to look and feel like boutique hotels, with concierge-style services, curated food and beverage options, and sensory-led design, next year, IWG said.

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