Employees are increasingly adopting a trend known as 'job hugging,' characterized by a reluctance to leave their current jobs. Factors contributing to this shift include AI disruption, limited job opportunities, and an unpredictable economic landscape. Reports indicate a significant number of employees, particularly from Gen Z, plan to remain in their roles for at least six months. The Market Opportunity Indicator shows a steep decline in perception of external job opportunities, coinciding with high job elimination rates and slowed job growth in the U.S. economy.
At an alarming rate, more and more employees are displaying what is colloquially known as 'job hugging'-which is to say, holding onto their jobs for dear life.
The majority of employees plan to stay in their current position for at least the next six months, with Gen Z employees reporting the most intent to remain in place.
The Market Opportunity Indicator-a measure of employees' perception of the outside job market-has dropped to its lowest level since the report's inception.
U.S.-based employers had announced more than 800,000 job eliminations in 2025-the highest number of jobs lost in the same period since the global pandemic in 2020.
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