Nearly Half of Workers Are “Job Hugging” as Comfort and Security Take Priority

A new trend is taking hold across the workforce: job hugging, the act of staying in a job longer than usual for comfort or security. Nearly half of employed workers (48%) say they’re currently staying in their roles longer than they otherwise might, for comfort, security, or stability. And according to Monster’s 2025 Job Hugging findings, three-quarters (75%) expect to remain in the same job for at least two more years.

This shift points to a new era where comfort, pay, and stability outweigh ambition and change. More than half of workers (59%) believe job hugging is more common in 2025 than it was last year, and nearly two-thirds (63%) expect it to grow even more in 2026.

“Workers are holding on tighter than ever, but not because they’re complacent because they’re cautious,” said Vicki Salemi, Career Expert at Monster. “Job security and stability have become emotional safety nets. The new loyalty is about survival, not necessarily satisfaction.” 

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Comfort Over Change: Why Workers Stay 

While ambition once fueled career moves, many employees now see stability as success. Nearly 85% of workers admit they’ve job hugged at least once in their careers.

The leading reasons:

• Pay and benefits (27%)
• Job Security (26%)

These priorities reflect a workforce adapting to uncertainty where staying put feels safer than stepping into the unknown.

The Future of Job Hugging: A Culture of Caution

Monster’s research shows job hugging isn’t slowing down anytime soon:

• 59% say it’s more common this year than last.
• 63% expect it to increase in 2026.
• 3 in 4 workers plan to stay in their current roles for the next two years.

This trend signals more than just stability, it’s a cultural shift toward risk aversion, where comfort now competes directly with ambition.

The Emotional Tradeoff: Secure but Stuck

Staying put can offer peace of mind, but it’s not without emotional tradeoffs:

• 38% say job hugging has no impact on their satisfaction.
• 27% feel less satisfied and “stuck.”
• 25% feel more satisfied, citing security and value.

Workers are also divided on career impact: nearly half (47%) say it has little effect, while others see it as either limiting (27%) or a way to deepen expertise (26%).

The Hidden Costs of Staying Put

Even as job hugging rises, 94% of workers recognize its potential downsides:

• Missing out on higher pay (26%)
• Burnout from lack of change (25%)
• Limited career advancement (25%)

When asked what might finally prompt them to leave, most pointed to higher pay or benefits (28%), followed by better work-life balance (18%) and more remote options (14%).

Loyalty, Longevity, and the Generational Divide

Job hugging appears to span generations, though 55% of workers believe Gen X and Boomers are more likely to stay put than younger colleagues.

In the workplace, attitudes toward job hugging are largely positive or neutral:

• 45% say it’s viewed neutrally.
• 48% say positively.
• Only 8% say negatively.

Employers see its benefits too, valuing job huggers for their loyalty (26%), institutional knowledge (22%), and lower turnover costs (30%).
 

The Takeaway

Job hugging reflects a new kind of workplace loyalty rooted in stability, not stagnation. Workers may be staying for comfort and security, but they’re not necessarily closing the door on opportunity.

As Monster’s Salemi notes, “Staying put doesn’t mean standing still. Workers can continue to explore new opportunities passively and evaluate them carefully. The bar for making a move may be higher right now, but it’s not closed.”

Job hugging doesn’t mean standing still. Build your free profile on Monster.com to explore new opportunities, stay informed, and make your next move when it’s right for you.

Methodology:

This survey was conducted by Pollfish on October 9, 2025, among 1,004 currently employed U.S. workers. Participants answered a variety of multiple-choice and scaled-based questions designed to explore employee motivations, attitudes, and trends related to job retention, career satisfaction, and risk tolerance in today’s evolving workplace.