It seems impossible that there was a time when we championed workplace trends like “quiet quitting.” Things are tough for job seekers right now: Hirings are happening at a snail’s pace, and the market’s unbalanced. Therefore, staying in your current role, regardless of how you feel about it, seems like the best option. But while some might call “playing it safe” a smart move, career experts call it “job hugging.” And contrary to what the name implies, this is not a term of endearment.
The truth is that the labor market might’ve cooled, but the world of work hasn’t. If anything, keeping up is more important than ever. So, before you assume you’re making the “safe” choice by staying in your current role, let’s talk about what job hugging could mean for your career. Ahead, everything you need to know about this workplace trend, including what it is and why it’s so popular, the risks it poses to your career, and how to make sure job hugging doesn’t stall your career trajectory.
Sam DeMase
Sam DeMase is a career strategist, workplace expert, and best-selling author dedicated to helping professionals navigate the modern job market with confidence. As ZipRecruiter’s first-ever Career Expert, Sam empowers job seekers with actionable insights, job search strategies, and expert advice to help them stand out, land interviews, and secure their next great opportunity. Beyond her role at ZipRecruiter, Sam shares career advice and job search insights with her 1M followers on social media.
What is job hugging?
If the term “job hugging” conjures up an image of someone clinging to their employment for dear life, you’re right on the money. ZipRecruiter Career Expert Sam DeMase says the term describes an employee who chooses to stay in their role despite feeling unhappy or undervalued, or being underpaid. In this instance, the decision to stay put is driven by fear—particularly fear of the current job market with its seemingly endless challenges.
Why is job hugging trending?
Of course, staying in a job you’re unsatisfied with isn’t a new phenomenon. We all have to make sacrifices in life, and sometimes that means biding your time until a better professional opportunity comes along. What makes job hugging different, though, is how widespread it is. Here are three reasons why it’s trending right now:
Employees are prioritizing stability over everything
Previously, workers prioritized employment that gave them job satisfaction and generous compensation. But in an unstable economic climate, they are now putting job stability above their happiness and pay. Case in point: Resume Builder surveyed over 2,000 full-time workers in the U.S. in August, and 45 percent admitted they’re job hugging simply because changing jobs right now feels “too risky.” Plus, there’s still a lot we don’t know about AI, namely how it will impact the workforce. This is an added layer of stress employees are choosing not to take on.
The job market is filled with uncertainty
The job market also came to a screeching halt in 2025. In addition to more employees opting to stay in roles they’re unhappy in, employers are still downsizing, choosing to operate with a smaller staff and build employee retention instead of bringing in new talent in an effort to save money. These things combined have plummeted the turnover rate. Per ZipRecruiter, average employers had a turnover rate of 177 percent in 2023, and that rate has dropped to 49.5 percent in 2025.
“Previously, workers prioritized employment that gave them job satisfaction and generous compensation. But in an unstable economic climate, they are now putting job stability above their happiness and pay.”
All of this has created an imbalanced market where the number of candidates is greater than the number of job openings. Debase says this has not only made the market highly competitive, but it has also made job searching a stressful, time-consuming process. Quite frankly, taking the time to comb through listings, tailor your resume and cover letter, and so forth feels like more energy than it’s worth, and more workers are choosing to stay with their current employer instead.
Employees are working overtime to protect their positions
Obviously, none of us has ever been able to predict the future. Yet, what lies ahead in the world of work feels less clear than ever before. Because of this, workers are no longer spending their free time looking for jobs. Instead, they’re channeling all their extra effort and energy into becoming standout employees because they believe it’ll enhance their job security. And the proof is in the pudding. Resume Builder also reported that 69 percent of workers are taking on more, 63 percent are working longer hours, 37 percent are upskilling with AI or automation, and 23 percent are shamelessly “sucking up” to management to stay in their good graces. Clearly, climbing the career ladder is no longer the name of the game. Now, it’s all about doing everything in your power to safeguard the job you have.
What are the potential risks of job hugging?
It’s not hard to see why so many are clinging to their jobs, but are there any downsides to doing this? According to Debase, the answer is “yes.” First, clocking into a job out of necessity rather than passion can burn you out quickly. But burnout is not dangerous per se; rather, it’s what we do with the burnout that is. In this case, you’re less inclined to use PTO for a mental health day or stop responding to emails after hours because you’re desperate to keep your job. Instead, you shove down the burnout and pretend it isn’t happening until you start “quiet cacking” at work.
Additionally, Debase warns that job hugging can also lead to wage stagnation. She explained that even if you don’t look for and secure employment elsewhere, not seeking a promotion from your current employer backfires. “The market rate will continue to rise while you stay put,” she said. Similarly, job hugging might also stop you from growing and diversifying your skill set. Comfort zones are real, and most people won’t feel inclined to seek out opportunities to sharpen their current skills or acquire new ones if they’re comfortable performing their current duties. Subsequently, this could mean you won’t be exposed to new and important technology, which is the “key to gaining a competitive edge” in today’s market, Debase added.
How to prevent job hugging from stalling your career
Job hugging can do a number on your career, but the good news is that there are ways to prevent things like wage stagnation and burnout from happening. The key is to find the balance. You can cautiously keep your current job because it earns you a steady paycheck, while still not letting fear hold you back from what’s next for you. It’s all about keeping your eyes peeled for new professional opportunities and using your current situation as an opportunity for growth.
Expanding and diversifying your skill set is one way to do this. “Ask your boss for opportunities to work on cross-operational projects that interest you and enable you to upskill,” Debase said. Likewise, you can also cultivate new skills by integrating them into your workday. AI literacy is currently the most in-demand skill across all industries, so using an AI technology to compile research for you for a work project, for example, would help you develop this skill. Be sure to look at which skills are trending in your industry to find out what you need to stand out to hirers.
“You can cautiously keep your current job because it earns you a steady paycheck, while still not letting fear hold you back from what’s next for you.”
Additionally, Debase also recommends seeking out a promotion or raise from your employer. She explained that now is the perfect time to do this since companies are laser-focused on building employee retention and training them for new roles internally. Tip: Keep track of all your wins, like increasing sales or earning compliments from colleagues on your work. This will develop a strong narrative arc you can present when it comes time to make the ask, according to Debase. More importantly, it’ll help you become the best advocate for yourself. “We need to loudly share our successes with leadership and boldly ask for what we deserve,” Debase said.
Ultimately, there is no shame in waiting for the right professional opportunity to come your way before jumping ship, but don’t let fear get in the way of your ability to land them when the time comes. The market’s constantly changing, and the best thing you can do is figure out how to work with it, not against it.
Arianna Reardon, Contributing Writer
Arianna is a freelance writer and journalist, and the self-proclaimed hot and dirty martini queen. At The Everygirl, Arianna uses her authenticity and relatability to empower, inspire, and motivate women everywhere. Whether she’s writing about sex and relationships, career and finance, beauty and fashion, wellness, or home and living, Arianna’s passion shines through in all her work.
