A new workplace trend dubbed “job hugging” is quietly spreading across offices in Australia and around the world — and experts say it could have damaging long-term effects on both employees and businesses.
Unlike job hopping, where workers frequently change jobs for better pay or experience, job hugging sees people clinging to their current roles — even if they’re unfulfilling or toxic — out of fear of what lies beyond.
Fear Over Fulfilment
According to Rebecca Houghton, middle management expert and founder of BoldHR, the trend is being fuelled by widespread economic anxiety.
“Workers aren’t ‘hugging’ their jobs because they love them,” she told news.com.au. “They’re ‘hugging’ them because, frankly, the alternative looks worse.”
Houghton cited fears around AI-driven job loss, ongoing restructures, post-pandemic burnout, and general economic instability as reasons behind the shift. Her firm’s research shows one in three managers is currently burnt out, suggesting workers are choosing familiarity over risk — even if it means staying in an unengaging role.
Not Loyalty, Just Risk Aversion
While job hugging may look like employee retention, Houghton warned it’s anything but.
“These workers aren’t loyal. The minute the job market improves, they’ll be the first to leave — quietly and quickly,” she said.
She urged leaders to stop mistaking complacency for commitment and instead focus on building workplaces people actively choose to stay in.
Australian Job Mobility at a Low
Statistics from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) back up this emerging trend. Job mobility — the rate of people switching employers — has dropped for the second year in a row, now sitting at 7.7%, or about 1.1 million people.
That’s a notable decline from 9.6% in February 2023, when job switching surged in the post-COVID period.
A ‘Major Shift’ in the Workforce
Rich Lewis-Jones, VP of APAC at recruitment platform SmartRecruiters, said job hugging signals a “major shift in hiring dynamics.” He noted younger professionals, including Gen Z, are prioritising stability over growth in response to a shaky job market.
“If employees stay, doggedly but disengaged, productivity and innovation suffer,” he said. “Employers need to focus on engagement, learning, and long-term career potential.”
More Than Just a Trend — A Psychological Risk
Clinical psychologist Dr Kaitlin Harkess added that job hugging isn’t just an HR concern — it’s a mental health risk. While clinging to a stable job may offer short-term relief, she warned the long-term effects can be damaging.
“Misaligned jobs can erode confidence and motivation,” she said. “Prolonged disengagement can lead to anxiety, depression, and a growing sense of helplessness.”
However, she clarified that staying in a job isn’t necessarily a problem — if the choice is conscious and aligned with personal goals.
“If someone is choosing stability to support their family or pursue passions outside work, that’s an empowered decision. But staying out of fear is a red flag.”
What Leaders Should Do Now
Experts agree: businesses must respond before the job market rebounds. That means prioritising meaningful engagement, creating learning pathways, and fostering a workplace culture where employees want to stay — not one they simply haven’t left yet.
