Workplace trends are often assigned innocuous names to help them catch on more easily, however, the implications of the trends are far more concerning than the term lets on. Workers are now “job hugging” at work, and while that seems like an adorable new term for reconnecting with their duties, the fear-based reasons for the trend are more telling. What is job hugging? It is a new phenomenon that has emerged as an alternative to job hopping, where employees are holding on to their jobs at a time when work appears to be growing scarce.
The new career trend of job hugging is not a result of better employee engagement tactics or aspirations of growth. Instead, it is a result of the shifting job market that has made employees aware of the depleting reserve of alternative work.
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Workers are Job Hugging to Avoid the Job Market, but the Tides Could Turn Abruptly
The pandemic-era changes were a landmark moment in the history of every industry as businesses across the globe adapted to a remote work model and then had to recalibrate their commitment to the model once quarantine restrictions began to lift.
The infamous “Great Resignation” trend that took shape in the aftermath resulted in over 47 million people quitting their jobs, with the numbers only growing in the following year in 2022. Workers who were unable to quit during the pandemic made their move to find work that better aligned with their needs and preferences.
Subsequently, as businesses began to make their own changes to the workforce, the “Great Stay” trend took shape as workers began to hesitate with switching jobs, regardless of their experience there. The job hugging trend is an extension of the great stay phenomenon, where employees are choosing to stay at their jobs rather than look for other opportunities.
Why Is Fear Leading the Labor Market?
With the shifting landscape of tariffs and the AI encroachment taking place, businesses have a lot on their plate. Organizations have largely centered their attention on increasing their AI investments and cutting costs to ensure their profit margins remain undisturbed in the coming months, and this has required layoffs to become a core component of their strategy.
The rising layoffs and the threat of being replaced by AI have caused workers to start “job hugging” for as long as they can, preparing to hold on to their roles to continue to make a living. Many new job postings now come with an AI skill requirement, and workers are unprepared for this shift in the job market. The fear of being stuck in the job hunting phase has taken over the lives of many workers, drawing them into a corner with few options to find their way out.
Eagle Hill Consulting’s Employee Retention Index indicated as much in July, revealing that workers will likely remain in their jobs over the next six months. The report also discussed the “growing sense of pessimism” that employees held about their employment opportunities outside of their current roles.
Is the Job Hugging Trend Good for Business?
Workers embracing the job hugging trend bring a win to the hands of employers, as many believe that they no longer have to work as actively on retention of talent. For those who are determined to downsize further, there is more room to eliminate underperforming talent without worrying about being understaffed when top talent voluntarily walks out. Despite these apparent benefits of the job hugging trend vs the pitfalls of job hopping, it is important to stay vigilant.
A healthy attrition rate is typically good for business as it allows workers who no longer feel committed to their organization or their role to walk out, clearing up space for new talent. Employees who stay on merely due to their fear of the alternative do not make the most engaged workers, and it is possible that at the first sign of a better solution, many will choose to walk out.
From blue-collar work to entrepreneurship, determined employees have begun to consider the alternatives to corporate work that are available to them. There is the growing appeal of freelance work and a side-gig-based career to consider as well. Disengaged employees can resort to other trends like coffee badging and quiet vacationing, so retention as a metric is insufficient to determine productivity.
Employers Need to Make the Most of the Opportunity Offered by the Job Hugging Trend
A large-scale quitting trend is not in the best interest of any business. As a result, precautions need to be taken to ensure that employees who stay due to the “job hugging” trend are converted into motivated and engaged participants.
Despite appearances, active and voluntary retention strategies are still critical for the long-term survival of an organization and its workforce, and there are many ways to pursue this. From conducting surveys and improving the culture of the organization to communicating clearly with employees, there is considerable room to build better connections with workers.
Better workplace relationships and dynamics often guarantee qualitative retention, and it’s never too late to get started on making improvements. Many employees are in pursuit of opportunities that offer a clear pathway for career progression or regular training that allows them to grow, and integrating these aspects into the system can be beneficial for both employer and employee.
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