Forget job hopping. A new report says workers are staying put in 2026, but will that help or hold back your career?
Hate your job? Join the club. Plenty of Americans are unhappy and stressed out at work, but gone are the days of making bold career moves. Though the U.S. unemployment rate hasn’t moved much lately and job growth is slowing but steady, many workers see the overall job market as a reason to stay put. Instead of job hopping, they’re embracing a practice known as job hugging.
“I absolutely hear my clients talking about it,” says Robin Camarote, a career coach in Falls Church, Virginia. She adds that this workplace buzzword resonates with her mid-career clients, in particular. “It was one of those terms we hear in a business context that immediately clicked,” she says. “Like a couple of years ago when they were talking about quiet quitting, I knew exactly what they were talking about.”
In other words, you’re not the only one clinging to your job for dear life. But should you be? We asked Camarote to break down the details. Read on to learn about this trend and whether a career expert thinks it’s a good idea.
Get Reader’s Digest’s Read Up newsletter for more career tips, humor, travel, tech and fun facts all week long.
What, exactly, is job hugging?
Unlike quiet quitting, which is about limiting effort at work, or the Great Resignation, which was a large-scale departure of workers leaving for better opportunities in 2021 and 2022, job hugging is about intentionally staying—ideally in a role and at a company that is supporting your growth and valuing your contributions, Camarote says. More specifically, it’s “the act of staying in a job longer than usual for comfort or security,” according to career site Monster, which recently conducted a survey about the trend.
Nearly half of the U.S. workers surveyed (48%) said they are driven by stability, security or comfort to stay in their roles for longer than they might otherwise. That mindset seems to span generations, but 55% of those surveyed think Gen X and Boomers are more likely than younger workers to continue in their current roles.
Camarote says that tracks with the sort of questions mid-career employees tend to ask themselves: “Is this it? Am I on the right track? I know I have maybe 10 to 15 years left in my career—am I feeling fulfilled?” She says those are often followed by the question “Should I switch it up?”
Right now, the prevailing answer is no.
In fact, workers are quitting less often than they have in years past. Labor statistics show that voluntary quits have hovered around 3.2 million to 3.3 million in recent months—far below the levels of the Great Resignation, which saw upward of 4.5 million quits in a month. All this suggests today’s workers may feel less certain about finding a better job.
Why are people clinging to their jobs right now?
Workers appear to be choosing comfort over change. Nearly 85% of workers say they’ve job hugged at some point in their careers, and the top reasons, according to Monster’s report, are pay and benefits (27%) and job security (26%).
Given the state of the job market, staying put makes sense. Employers added only 50,000 jobs last month, barely changed from November’s revised 56,000, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). And while the unemployment rate ticked down slightly to 4.4%, a steady but slowing labor market can make workers reconsider before making a move.
The labor market is also feeling the effects of government policies such as tariffs, which have complicated long-term hiring plans for businesses. Companies that prioritized hiring after the pandemic don’t need as many new workers, and other employers may be holding back because of inflation and artificial intelligence, which is expected to reduce the need for labor in many industries.
It’s no surprise, then, that job hugging is on the rise. According to Monster’s survey, 59% say job hugging was more common in 2025 than in 2024, and 63% expect it to increase this year. That seems likely, as 75% of workers surveyed say they plan to keep their current jobs into 2027.
Is job hugging a good idea?
Job hugging, like many career strategies, isn’t a good or a bad idea in itself; it depends on your circumstances. Staying put can be a practical or even strategic move … or it can limit your income or career growth. So how do you know if staying put is the right career move for you? Camarote offers some insights below.
Job hugging is the smart move when…
There are situations in which job hugging can be a practical choice. Here are some examples:
You need steady pay
Finding another job is a job in itself, and keeping the one you have maintains your income in a difficult job market and tough economic times. But it’s also a reassurance when the job market simply seems tough. Think about it: Layoff rates didn’t significantly increase in 2025, according to BLS data, but that’s not how it feels if you’re in technology or in certain geographical areas, like Washington, D.C., Camarote says. Big layoffs in the news can affect everyone’s mentality, so there’s a disconnect between what the data says and how many employees feel, she notes.
Even if your workplace doesn’t have a “last in, first out” policy, other dynamics can make being new riskier. “The employee might be in a probationary period or have just had less time to demonstrate their value, get up to speed on the culture and/or establish the kind of relationships needed to protect their position,” Camarote says. “So being new can feel more vulnerable even if there aren’t official policies in place.”
You want to gain experience
Staying at a company can help you grow—if you are intentional about it. “Look for ways to take on new projects, work with people in other departments and learn something new that makes you more valuable,” Camarote says.
You want to make your time in a role count, she says: “Get clear on what you want to be known for and find opportunities that help you build those skills.”
You prefer predictability
Sticking with a role you know can feel safer because it provides a sense of control. “You know your job, the people, the systems and what’s expected of you,” Camarote says.
But the long-term value of staying in one role depends on your industry, she says. Long stints in the same tech job might raise questions about whether your skills are current, but longevity can be a boon in other industries. “In fields like health care, education or hospitality, staying longer can show that you build strong relationships and have deep expertise in your area,” she says.
It’s your best option
Staying in your current job may be the best option due to other demands, such as caregiving responsibilities or a military relocation. “When I came back from maternity leave, even thinking about job hunting felt impossible,” Camarote says. “Between the emotional and physical demands, I had zero capacity to update a resume, prep for interviews or onboard into a new role.”
Job stability can be a boon when life transitions sap the energy needed to even explore a career move. “It’s not about giving up on growth,” she explains. “It’s about honoring your bandwidth, so you can return to career momentum when you’re ready.”
Job hugging holds you back when…
Though nearly half of the survey respondents are job hugging, it may not always be the best choice. Are you trading career advancement and a salary boost for job security? Here are some potential downsides to consider.
You miss opportunities for pay increases
Changing jobs or getting a promotion can be the fastest paths to a salary bump, though they’re not a sure thing. In fact, recent data shows that the average increase for either path is shrinking. But by staying put, you may be even less likely to get an increase in pay.
“If your goal is to earn more, you need to either grow the value you’re providing by taking on more responsibility, leading something new or moving into a higher-impact role, or take that value to a company that’s willing to pay more for it,” Camarote says. “Staying put can be strategic, but it often requires a proactive approach if you want your paycheck to grow.”
There’s a lack of career advancement
When staying in a position without taking on new challenges, your skills can become stale or irrelevant, making you less competitive among your peers.
“While really any skill can get outdated, we see this most with things like technical tools, data analysis, communication platforms—even how teams collaborate evolves quickly,” Camarote says. “If you’re not actively owning and seeking out your own skill development, you’re falling behind.”
You’re miserable in your current role
Being unhappy or burned out can lead to feelings of inadequacy that won’t help your work or your overall situation. If you’re unhappy, it’ll likely impact your family or colleagues too. Camarote suggests asking yourself, “Have I really done everything I can to make this job better?”
Sometimes people reach a point where leaving seems easier than staying, she says. And while that’s valid, it’s important to be honest about your level of ownership. “Learning how to solve for your happiness where you are will always serve you in the next role,” she says. “That effort is never wasted.”
And even when the job market feels uncertain, so is staying in a job that feels draining. As Camarote notes, “the key is figuring out which risk feels bigger: staying stuck or making a move.”
How can you make job hugging work for you?
So you need to stay at your job or have opted to do so. That doesn’t mean your career is doomed to stagnate. There are ways to make the most of job hugging so you stay secure in your role while leveling up your resume. When the time comes to leave your company, you’ll be doing so with a bunch of new skills.
Develop new skills
You might ramp up your professional development so you are continuing to learn new things. There are many ways to grow in your current role, but the key is taking the lead in the process and identifying an opportunity that would benefit you and the organization, Camarote says. Maybe that’s spearheading a process improvement, presenting at an all-hands meeting, shadowing someone on another team or taking a course on something like strategic thinking.
Once you’ve got an opportunity in mind, “bring a clear proposal to your manager: what you want to do, why it matters and how you’ll make it happen without dropping the ball on your current responsibilities or how you plan to create space to take it on,” she suggests. The more proactive and thoughtful you are, the more likely you are to get a “yes” from your manager, Camarote says.
Get a side gig
Consider adding a side gig for something different, if time allows.
“A side gig can be a great way to test-drive a new skill or career path, like offering freelance design work if you’re thinking about pivoting into user experience (UX) or starting a coaching practice on the side to build experience before going full-time,” Camarote says. In addition to providing extra income and hands-on learning, she says “it lets you see if you actually like doing the new thing before making a bigger leap.”
Take charge of your on-the-job happiness
Beyond practical steps, Camarote has one overarching suggestion: “Love it before you leave it.”
Even in a great job market, it’s important to figure out how you can enjoy where you are, she says. In other words, make sure your job is “hugging you back”—giving you the feedback, growth and engagement that make staying worthwhile—even if you plan to move on eventually.
“If your job isn’t giving you feedback, growth or energy, stop waiting for permission,” Camarote says. You can create it yourself in a variety of ways, such as by setting a goal that excites you, starting a project that stretches you, asking a peer for real feedback or teaching someone what you know.
“Don’t sit in misery,” Camarote says. “Take the wheel while you’re still in the seat.”
RELATED:
- Here’s Why Gen Z Is Actually Welcoming the Return to Office—And You’re Totally Going to Get It
- Ouch! New Study Reveals the Top 10 Cities Where Residents Are Hardest Hit by Inflation
- This Is the Highest-Paying Hourly Job at Walmart—And They Definitely Deserve It
About the expert
|
Why trust us
At Reader’s Digest, we’re committed to producing high-quality content by writers with expertise and experience in their field in consultation with relevant, qualified experts. We rely on reputable primary sources, including government and professional organizations and academic institutions as well as our writers’ personal experiences where appropriate. We verify all facts and data, back them with credible sourcing and revisit them over time to ensure they remain accurate and up to date. Read more about our team, our contributors and our editorial policies.
Sources:
- Robin Camarote, leadership and career coach; phone interview, Jan. 11, 2026
- Monster: “Nearly Half of Workers Are ‘Job Hugging’ as Comfort and Security Take Priority”
- Bureau of Labor Statistics: “The Employment Situation — December 2025”
- Bureau of Labor Statistics: “Industry and occupational employment projections overview and highlights, 2024–34”
- Bureau of Labor Statistics: “Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey News Release”
- Bureau of Labor Statistics: “Job Openings and Labor Turnover Summary”
- Bureau of Labor Statistics: “Job openings and quits reach record highs in 2021, layoffs and discharges fall to record lows”
- US REO Partners: “MBA Chart of the Week: Annual Wage Growth for Job Stayers vs Switchers”
