Remember when everyone seemed to be job-hopping every year, chasing bigger paychecks, better perks, or that elusive “dream job”? Well, times have changed. The era of hopping is slowing down, and in its place comes a new workplace trend: “job hugging.”
Instead of plotting their next move, more workers are clinging to their current positions. A new survey from Resume Builder found that 45% of employees are now “job huggers”—holding onto their roles not necessarily because they love them, but because they fear what’s out there.
So, what’s fueling this shift?
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Economic uncertainty – The job market feels shaky, with many describing it as “not very good” or even “terrible.”
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AI anxiety – Nearly 8 in 10 job huggers worry that artificial intelligence will make finding new work harder in the future.
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Layoff fears – Six in 10 worry they could be laid off, so they’re doubling down to prove their worth.
And this “hugging” isn’t passive. The survey revealed that 84% of job huggers are working harder—taking on more responsibilities, staying longer hours, and even trying to strengthen relationships with leadership (yes, some admitted to sucking up) to protect their place.
While job hugging may feel like survival mode, it also reflects a bigger cultural moment: when stability outweighs ambition.
💡 Stacyknows Tip: If you’re hugging your job, make it a smart hug. Use this time to build skills, grow your network, and quietly prepare for your next move—so when the market shifts, you’ll be ready to let go and land somewhere even better.
