Job hopping vs. job hugging: Why workers are rethinking career moves

MPR News with Angela Davis · Dec 8, 2025 · 47m

For much of the last century, a steady career often meant staying with one company for decades. But that idea started to fade in the ‘80s and ‘90s as layoffs and restructuring made long-term loyalty feel less secure. By the 2000s, job hopping became the norm and often led to better pay and benefits.

But today, something new is happening. Alongside job hopping, we’re seeing a rise in job hugging — people staying put, even when they’d rather move, because the job market feels uncertain.

MPR News guest host Chris Farrell talks about shifting hiring trends, when it’s smart to switch jobs, when…