top of page
Search

Job Hugging

  • Writer: Silvia Gray
    Silvia Gray
  • Jan 26
  • 2 min read
When talent is cautious, clarity leads
When talent is cautious, clarity leads

What Today’s Caution Means for Hiring


“Job hugging” isn’t about comfort - it’s about caution.

In a cool labor market, more professionals are choosing to stay put, not because they’re disengaged or unmotivated, but because uncertainty has raised the perceived risk of making a move. Recent reporting from Forbes suggests this trend isn’t temporary - 75% of workers plan to remain in their current roles through 2027, with fear and economic uncertainty cited as primary drivers.


What the data is telling us


A recent article referencing Monster’s 2025 Job Hugging Report highlights several key insights:


  • 75% of employees plan to stay put through 2027

  • 48% say fear and economic uncertainty are the main reasons for staying

  • Job hopping no longer delivers meaningful pay advantages, reducing the incentive to move

  • 85% of workers admit they’ve “job hugged” at least once in their career

  • Workers are staying - but passively exploring options, upskilling, or taking on side projects

  • Retention is often viewed positively by employers, but doesn’t always reflect engagement


The article also notes that this trend represents a broader cultural shift toward risk aversion, sometimes referred to as “jobless growth” - low hiring, low firing, and fewer visible opportunities.


What we’re seeing in the market


From our work with clients and candidates across manufacturing, automotive, and automation, these trends show up every day:


  • Predictability is outweighing the appeal of higher pay or faster advancement.

  • Caution has replaced momentum, even when opportunities are well-structured

  • Retention doesn’t automatically mean engagement

  • The bar for change is higher - but not closed


Candidates are still open to conversations, but decisions are more deliberate and emotionally complex than they were just a few years ago.


Why this matters for employers


Job hugging can look like loyalty on the surface, but it often reflects uncertainty beneath it. In today’s market, clarity around role scope, expectations, growth paths, and long-term direction matters more than ever.

At Expert Connections, we support hiring teams by bringing market context, transparency, and real-time insight into the process -helping decisions stay grounded as conditions shift. Our focus is always on creating clarity and confidence for both clients and candidates.


Because in a cautious market, progress is built through shared understanding and trust.




 


 
 
bottom of page