You may have heard of “ Job Hopping ” – or moving from one role to another in the hopes of getting a higher salary.
But according to workplace psychotherapist Eloise Skinner, who is paired with Mēbeles, the wage hike previously associated with the “Job Leap” has stalled.
In 2025, the “job jump” is associated with only a 4.8% pay increase, compared to an expected 4.6% for those who remain laid off, reported Happily Local.
And according to Skinner, this led to another phenomenon known as the “embrace of work.”
What is a “work hug”?
The therapist described it as holding on to your existing job rather than looking elsewhere for better conditions (perhaps exacerbated by today’s brutal job market ).
“While job hopping was seen as providing clear financial benefits, the narrowing pay gap between job buckets and pallets means long-term loyalty offers almost as much financial upside, as well as stronger security and benefits,” she said.
This, Skinner added, has both UPSIDES (steady growth, more promising advertising opportunities, and deeper expertise) and downsides (slower salary growth, risk of stagnation, loss of ability to meet new people and develop new skills).
If you feel dissatisfied with your workplace and/or stuck in your role, “embracing work” may be leaving you in a position that is not benefiting you.
Ultimately, she said, “job hopping can enhance your ability to meet new people, explore different ideas or industries, and give you a broad range of knowledge by experiencing different work environments over time.”
When should I worry about “job hopping”?
“Job hugging” can sometimes keep you in an unsuitable role for too long, but “job hopping” is not without its downsides either.
As Skinner suggested: “In the long term, job hopping could indicate a commitment to one career path or difficulty forming long-term relationships with colleagues.
“For some individuals, it is important to address the underlying issues that are causing the feeling of restlessness or disconnection.”
The BBC reported that most employers like workers to stay in a role for at least a year, although this is not a hard and fast rule.
