These are the most pressing challenges professionals are facing at work — and how to handle them

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Over one in 10 global workers hired in 2024 have job titles that didn’t exist in 2000.

This includes roles like data scientist, social media manager and customer success manager. Even if you aren’t in one of these newer roles, your job is likely changing on you — and quickly. LinkedIn data shows that over the next five years, the skills required at work will change by 50% — and innovation in artificial intelligence is expected to push that figure to a whopping 70%.

Most people are having trouble navigating such seismic workplace shifts.

A global survey of over 20,000 professionals conducted by LinkedIn found that the majority (64%) are overwhelmed by how quickly their jobs are changing. The work changes that are causing the most stress across the world? The return-to-office rally cry, rapid advancements in AI and the realities of navigating a multi-generational workforce.?

Nearly half of professionals (49%) are worried about being left behind if they don’t adapt quickly enough. Experts say the key to avoiding this is adopting a growth mindset. “In a world that is changing so rapidly, all of us are beginners at times,” Clara Shih , the CEO of Salesforce AI, said . So coming to work with a “fresh, open mind” and a willingness to learn is the first step in “capitalizing on major disruptive moments.”

The state of AI at work

Nearly one in three (30%) global workers are worried about integrating AI into their workstreams. The skepticism is to be expected — about 10% of jobs in the U.S. are at risk of disruption due to AI advancements, according to a White House report .?

But as IT professional Cory Miliken put it: “The greatest threat to your job isn’t AI itself, it’s being replaced by someone that knows how to use AI better than you.”

That means the best time to get comfortable with AI is as soon as possible. “When it comes to AI literacy, with a little intention and experimentation, you can learn,” Catherine Fisher ,? LinkedIn’s career expert, explained . Use of LinkedIn Learning courses designed to build AI aptitude, for example, spiked 117% over the past year among non-tech professions. If a whole course sounds too daunting, start small with personal experimentation on the job.?

“Use an AI assistant to transcribe a meeting in real time,” Fisher suggested. “Try asking ChatGPT to ‘proof’ something you’ve written,” or “summarize a long email thread with Copilot.”?

Incorporating these practices can “make you more efficient.” Plus, professionals already leveraging AI are shaving an average of one hour off their workday, according to new research from the Adecco Group.

Upskilling beyond AI is essential, too. About 63% of employees in the U.S. agree that soft skills are more important than ever, according to a recent finding from LinkedIn’s Workforce Confidence survey, a bi-weekly survey of thousands of professionals. This can look like shoring up communication and management skills.

The state of remote work

Meanwhile, 27% of workers across the world are overwhelmed by the challenge of protecting their flexibility at work.

Many large firms are currently moving ahead with return-to-office plans. Consider Amazon — it recently issued a five-day RTO mandate that sparked controversy; the vast majority of employees surveyed reported they are unhappy about it, with many searching for a new job.

It’s not so easy to find a new remote job anymore, though. In the U.S., remote work went from 1 in 67 jobs in March 2020 to a peak of 1 in 5 jobs in 2022. The share of remote job postings has since fallen: Just 8.5% of job postings were for remote roles in July 2024, according to LinkedIn data. Flexible roles, meanwhile, have been gaining steam — 13.4% of job postings were hybrid in July — and smaller companies (less than 250 employees) are more likely to be offering flexible working arrangements.

These remote and hybrid job postings receive more applications than onsite roles on LinkedIn and a separate LinkedIn Workforce Confidence survey found that hybrid and remote workers are happier with their paychecks than in-person workers.

But there are still trade-offs to working from home. “Many professionals feel pressure to demonstrate they can be just as productive, if not more so, when working from home or remotely,” Fisher said. “Some feel like they need to overcompensate to prove they are working hard, which can lead to longer hours, higher stress and potential burnout,” she continued.

Stanford researchers , for example, found that remote workers are far more likely to skip a lunch break than onsite workers. An analysis of virtual meetings showed there was no drop in activity at noon — there were just as many people working over the traditional lunch hour as at 11 a.m. or 2 p.m.?

Anna Travis, a professor in human capital management at New York University, suggested remote workers focus on building in more breaks, not fewer. “If you’re really working around the clock, until let’s say dinner time, it’s not contributing to the longevity, sustainability and overall health of employees,” she said.

The state of the multi-generational workforce

In addition to shifts in workplace flexibility and technology, the workforce itself is also evolving.

About 1 in 5 Americans aged 65 and older were employed in 2023, Pew Research Center found. That’s double the number in the mid-1980s. As the workforce expands, it’s becoming more common for older workers to push off or renege on retirement altogether — and for younger workers to take on management positions earlier.?

This newfound age diversity can cause rifts on the job. One-quarter of the global workforce reported one of the most notable challenges on the job right now is navigating a multigenerational workplace.

“Ageism is a two-way street,” Xiaoyun Cao , a professor of management at Illinois Institute of Technology, explained. “Younger employees often encounter stereotypes that undermine their capabilities, while older employees may grapple with self-doubt regarding their relevance and ability to adapt to rapidly evolving technologies,” she said.

Executive coach Alisa Cohn said the best way to approach productive intergenerational relationships is to avoid such stereotyping and “remember that you can learn from them,” no matter what the age gap is.

“You don’t have to know everything,” Cohn explained. “The best leader is humble enough to know when they need help.” Globally, nearly seven in 10 workers say they need more guidance at work than ever before.

One strategy? Seeking out mentorship opportunities. The number of posts on LinkedIn mentioning mentorship has more than doubled worldwide between 2023 and 2024. That aligns with LinkedIn Workforce Confidence survey data that shows more than half of Gen Zers and millennials in the U.S. say they need a mentor at work.

“By embracing continuous learning and growing a solid support system, you’ll be well-equipped to face — and overcome — whatever challenges lie ahead,” Fisher said.