Job hugging signs

From job hopping to, now, job hugging. That’s a new term that explains the workplace trend where employees who do not find fulfilment in their jobs still choose to stay out of concern for job security, rather than loyalty to the company. Whether or not you think it’s an actual phenomenon, here are some telltale signs that you might be job hugging at your current workplace.

What is job hugging?

Job hugging is a phenomenon where workers stay at their current positions and companies due to the fear of market instability and lack of better opportunities. More often than not, these employees prioritise financial security over personal well-being. It has also led to fewer resignations and longer job tenures.

According to the Ministry of Manpower, Singapore’s average annual resignation rate hit a record low of 1.3% in 2024, and it dropped further to 1.2% in the first half of 2025. On the other hand, the average job tenure rose to 8 years in 2024, showing just how tightly we’re clinging on.

1. Frequently visiting the toilet & pantry to take a breather

Image for illustrative purposes only.

Throughout the day, you find yourself visiting the toilet or pantry to “pee” or “snack” – but in reality, you just want to be anywhere else but your laptop. Signs like these show low engagement with your work, where you feel disconnected or a lack of purpose in what you’re doing.

While it’s important to take a breather now and then during the day, stepping away from your desk a little too often might raise a few eyebrows.

2. Doing more than your job scope

Image for illustrative purposes only.
Image credit: cottonbro studio via Pexels

It’s normal to do things that are slightly out of your job scope – just to help the team out. However, with the fear of retrenchment, you put on a happy face and choose to take on more work. Whether it’s extra responsibilities or saikang work, you would rather get paid and have a job than find your next job.

If your fear is not managed properly, it can quickly lead to burnout and disengagement from your work.

3. Choosing comfort & stagnation

 
Image for illustrative purposes only.

On the other end of “doing more work” is “quiet quitting”. Your life moves like clockwork, and your days feel like they’re on repeat. You head to work, do the job, and go home. But you would rather go through the motions of a mundane and repetitive routine than take on new projects or tasks because it’s comfortable.

Unlike doing more work out of retrenchment anxiety, this version of job hugging comes from feeling disengaged and unmotivated to do more than what’s required.

4. Conversations with colleagues revolve around weekend plans

Image for illustrative purposes only.

You and your colleagues are already at work 8 hours a day, so there’s really no need to discuss work even more during lunch. The next best thing is to discuss your weekend plans – we have so many articles about them too.

Here’s a simple rule of thumb: on Mondays and Tuesdays, ask your colleagues what they did over the weekend, then ask about their upcoming weekend plans from Wednesdays to Fridays. Don’t be shy to tell them yours as well.

And if the conversation starts to fizzle out, there are plenty of lunch-friendly topics to fall back on.

5. Using annual leave to rest at home rather than going to JB

Image for illustrative purposes only.

We’re not saying that every AL should be used to go to JB, but if you find yourself taking leave to get extra rest at home, you might be facing mental burnout. In spite of that, you’re still clinging to that job. We think you should be using your AL to stretch the public holidays instead, and take a proper vacation.

Of course, if you really need to, take that break. We mean from the company. Forever.

6. Telling yourself that the promotion is coming soon

Image for illustrative purposes only.
Image credit: Ambre Esteve via Unsplash

Sometimes being delulu is not the solulu. You realised you’ve been working at the company long enough, and you haven’t actively learnt new skills. Instead of thinking that you’re a job hugger, you convince yourself that you’ll get offered a promotion or pay raise soon.

But it’s okay, you can continue to gaslight yourself into thinking the promotion is coming – though it probably isn’t. However, it’s still better than being unemployed.

7. Avoiding team activities

Image for illustrative purposes only.
Image credit: Ariel Paredes

It could be as big as company-wide events or as small as a team gathering outside of work hours. If you find yourself avoiding team activities, it could be a sign of job hugging. While most of the time these are optional activities, not participating in them shows reluctance in team bonding.

8. Scrolling on LinkedIn during office hours

Image for illustrative purposes only.
Image credit: Zulfugar Karimov via Pexels

LinkedIn is the Facebook of the corporate world. Even if you’re hugging your job, you still actively look for your next role somewhere else. It’s the optimistic way to stay at your miserable job while finding your next opportunity rather than waiting for an offer to be served.

But of course, the job market anxiety arises again as you submit applications, burn your ALs for interviews, and face rejections. Maybe it’s better to just hug on a bit longer.

9. Hitting the “Gen-Z stare” when asked about your job

Screenshot from: @daisylu_2 via X

You might be using the “Gen-Z stare” without even knowing. It’s an expressionless look – equivalent to the millennial term: bruh. You might do it if you don’t want to think or talk about your job outside of work. If you find yourself doing it to colleagues, friends, and family members, it’s time to acknowledge that you’re a job hugger.

10. Always complaining about your job

Image for illustrative purposes only.

Complaining is part of our Singaporean identity, but if you’re always complaining about your job, boss, or company – and you’re still there – there’s a high chance you’re a job hugger. On top of that, you believe the reason it’s hard to apply for new positions is not because of you, but because “the market is bad”.

There needs to be actions after your words – complaining gets you nowhere. If needed, have an honest conversation with your employer about internal opportunities.

How to overcome job hugging without quitting?

There’s nothing gravely wrong with job hugging – it is the safer option after all. But there are ways to overcome job hugging without quitting your job.

Upskilling is something that you can do outside of work, or if needed, you can request to be sent to courses that will be applicable to your current role. It adds value to what you can already do, and keeps you from feeling stuck. Taking on new projects and responsibilities also allows you to make lateral moves to other roles or departments within the company if levelling up is not an option.

The important thing is to make a deliberate effort to choose growth rather than comfort.

Are you a job hugger?

There are many reasons why someone might job hug, but it isn’t the worst thing in the world – it’s the safe way to live. And it’s not that people are “hugging”; most would definitely go back to hopping if more doors opened and opportunities popped up. At the end of the day, a job’s a job, and sometimes playing it safe isn’t such a bad thing.

More career-related articles:

• Popular side hustles
• Highest paying part-time jobs
• Most dangerous jobs in SG

Cover image adapted from: cottonbro studio via Pexels