Any job huggers here? Have y'all heard of it? If you're a job hugger, how are you navigating?

29 Comments

1. maria roseMarch 10,2026 at 3:49PM UTC

   The way the economy is today you need income to survive and be self sufficient. It’s a part of being self-sufficient. That’s part of the “reasoning “ behind a basic income idea. And yet you can’t depend on receiving that basic income from reliance on a form of government benefit to supply that income especially if you realize that the funding for those subsidies comes from taxes on earned income. If everyone received a basic income from a government subsidy that funds would be limited and free spending would be limited unless those receiving had alternative sources too. You can just buy in credit and expect to not pay . Sure quitting jobs where things are not perfect will temporarily reduce the stress for a quick moment but it doesn’t eliminate the problem as no job is a perfect dream job. Think long rant rather than just here and now and remember that only you are responsible for your own life expenses and experiences. Don’t cry about not being able to afford what you want if you don’t earn it by yourself.

2. AnonymousMarch 12,2026 at 12:24AM UTC

   Were you born before quantitative easing destroyed the buying power of the dollar (aka 1971) and if so what was it like to have a currency that was actually worth something?

3. maria roseMarch 12,2026 at 10:56PM UTC

   Whatever you said is an assumption that paper currency value is based having a backing factor whatever is the current measure being used and has nothing to do with earning enough money to maintain a self-efficient lifestyle not dependent on something else to cover your necessity cost. I am not saying that one should remain in a job that creates so much negativity for you, but realize that there’s no perfect job so sometimes you compromise a few factors so you have money for necessity bills—you need money to eat and pay for that roof over your head and that bed you sleep on and to have utilities to run your appliances as most of us don’t rough it camping out in nature— Not even going to address the possibility of sharing that lifestyle with another person and maybe even having pets or children who will be dependent on you. Yeah, some people work just to occupy their time and don’t really need that income but most people work to support themselves and those who do don’t exist on air along. Go ahead and quit if that eliminates the stress of the current situation but don’t be complaining that you can’t find the perfect job to fit your lifestyle either.

4. AnonymousMarch 14,2026 at 5:06PM UTC

   My assumption is that people who got to enjoy the golden era of the American economy don't understand what its become and often make glib comments about "participation trophies" or "pulling yourself up by your bootstraps" when they got to buy a medium sized home in 1964 for 9 raspberries. The least they could do is appreciate they had their piece of the pie and a lot of younger people are working horrible jobs with zero job security while spending over half their check on rent for a crappy apartment.

5. maria roseMarch 19,2026 at 9:16PM UTC

   Never got a piece of whatever pie you ate referring to and never felt secure enough in any job worked BUT I stayed working because I had a responsibility to maintain the roof over my head and put food on the table and clothes fir my children—necessity bills that no one else was paying for and because I was working and earning a paycheck I never qualified for any government assistance. I worked in a job that I really didn’t enjoy because it was better than not having money for those things I was paying for with my earnings. Perhaps in today’s world, getting government benefits is easier than in prior years considering that 46% of the population is getting those benefits—especially when it is more easier to have your housing costs covered, food costs covered, your utility costs covered, free cellphone with service and healthcare all these things covered as long as you stay underemployed (maximum of 80 hours/month) or work cash pay jobs instead of working multiple jobs and earn your income. I may have had a harder job life existence but I earned my money by working in jobs that were on the books income ( not tip wages or cash off the books jobs) That belt tightening earned me the 2 tiny pensions and my Social Security benefits that I get now and still have to pay taxes on , pay my Medicare premium and still don’t qualify for government benefits or Medicaid aid. I am not rich barely make a few dollars over the maximum poverty threshold. But I survived working during the years when women were not given high wages equal to the men doing the same exact job and had to fight for every raise given.

   You think the world of work is rotten today , but forget that where it is today is a much better place than yesterday and you are not going to improve it by verbally complaints. You need to actively be in the workplace to effectively change the jobs

6. AnonymousMarch 10,2026 at 8:13PM UTC

   The days of companies showing even a speck of loyalty to employees is gone. You rarely see anyone stay at a company for longer than 5 years, and often no more than 2 or 3. This cycle feeds into itself because this goes for managers as well. I have lost 2 jobs unexpectedly in the last 5 years due to management changes. A new manager came in at both companies and wiped out my whole team because they wanted to start from scratch. That cycle now happens every 2 to 3 years in the business world and it is part of why layoffs are so out of control.

   It used to be that people would pick a job and were incentivized to stay there as long as possible with the promise of a pension at the end. My husband's grandmother is still receiving her husband's pension and free Healthcare benefits from a major automotive company that her husband retired from in 1997. He has been dead for 15 years and they are still paying her every month. It was nearly impossible to get fired back then because your boss was also a job hugger, and layoffs were seen as a shameful last resort. If you did get fired you could go to another factory in your town that day and get another job with zero real ability to do a serious background check.

   Life was also way more affordable. Back then you could expect housing to take up a quarter of your monthly pay. For many families it's now half your monthly pay, if not more. And now this "job hugging" is occurring out of fear and not because people actually have any kind of pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. As long as the U.S. refuses to invest in workers rights, this misery will continue.

7. AnonymousMarch 14,2026 at 3:17PM UTC

   I agree , there needs to be workers rights. I was discharged two weeks ago and they couldn't give me a reason. I was never late or absent, did my work on time. Im in Tennessee and its an "at will" state. No protection at all. They can fire you simply because you aren't a butt kisser.

8. AnonymousMarch 26,2026 at 6:20PM UTC

   That really sucks. I am so sorry to hear that. Sadly, I am hearing similar stories a lot.

9. Kim PfeifferMarch 12,2026 at 5:43PM UTC

   Short and sweet - Yes

10. AnonymousMarch 14,2026 at 12:46PM UTC

    Here! After a layoff I was lucky enough to be back to work in under 3 months. However, with the job market I willingly took a pay cut thinking I will just keep looking.

    The job itself is mostly low stress with a very healthy work life balance and they seem to like me so while I keep browsing at least the bills get paid. And you never know!

    Of course if it were a toxic place I may have responded differently.

    I navigate by still doing a good job, enjoying the flexibility, and keeping my alerts on.

11. AnonymousMarch 14,2026 at 1:11PM UTC

    I wwould be if I were among the employed. Laid off a year ago today and still job searching. Never out of work this long in my life. Even in 2009 I was laid off but found an even better job in under a year.

12. AnonymousMarch 14,2026 at 2:09PM UTC

    So me! The job itself is awful and after a year of trying hard to find anything else, I gave up. Now I just remind myself to be thankful I have a job and it pays me well. I put on my fake happy face and go in every day while counting down to my next time off- even if it's for a dentist appointment.

13. Ashley HibbsMarch 14,2026 at 2:17PM UTC

    Saaaaaame

14. AnonymousMarch 16,2026 at 12:12PM UTC

    I can relate to looking forward to your next day off. Monday is like dragging myself to log on to see what the annoying mgr wants .

15. AnonymousMarch 14,2026 at 2:17PM UTC

    I’m in what I call a “stepping stone” role. I HAD to get out of my last job but this one isn’t much better. It’s a job, though ?‍♀️

16. AnonymousMarch 14,2026 at 3:12PM UTC

    I am definitely. I despised my last job. The atmosphere, people, but stayed out of fear. Then two weeks ago they discharged me for no reason.

17. MelissaMarch 15,2026 at 1:27PM UTC

    It might be a blessing in disguise. Think of it as being set free to land in better conditions. Focus on what you want rather than what you don’t want and the opportunities will present themselves. That has been my experience with layoffs.

18. AnonymousMarch 14,2026 at 3:17PM UTC

    Yep. Longest held job I have had. Pay is better than all the jobs I've had before, and job market is really difficult. I don't have any formal certifications or degrees and minimal experience in my gield, yet every day I disconnect circuits that could take major companies down on their internet. I think I do a great job, considering how little training I have had and the lack of training resources at my fingertips, but this company is also expecting me to learn and gain certs on my offtime. That's a big fat no. You want me to learn on my offtime? Give me incentive. Offer me a raise.

19. AnonymousMarch 14,2026 at 4:58PM UTC

    Its so bad my entire niche industry is now calling everyone w-2 limited duration employees. Temps from project to project. Meanwhile I’ve worked 50hrs a week continuously for 5 years. Health insurance is basically you get to pay your own premiums under their group plan for a wildly high deductible and minimal coverage. People who have a gap in their project to projects go back and forth on COBRA. No pto but you can take a week vacation here and there unpaid. Sick time only the minimum required by State law. Benefits include things like your personal email is given to advertisers where you can sign up for perks like extra bonus points on a parking app where you pay for your own parking. I’m supposed to be grateful that that I don’t have gaps between projects because I have skills. I have to act happy and enthusiastic in meetings. Thank goodness for acting classes in college. The pay is good only if you ignore the lack of benefits. Meanwhile everyone is afraid we will all be replaced by AI which will now do all the coding. And…U.S. politics and economy are completely tanking. Welcome to Dystopia! Please enjoy your stay.

20. AnonymousMarch 15,2026 at 2:17PM UTC

    This sounds exactly where I'm at right now. I'm ready to move on from the company I work for. I'm not motivated to climb up the corporate ladder there, which leaves me in the same old role.

    Their health insurance is one of the things that drew me in the beginning, but turns out it's not that good between premiums + deductibles + maximum coverages for the year + needed, but not covered services + "incentive surcharges" + being locked in until open enrollment when you can waive the "benefits".

    Even if they take your whole pay with the insurance costs alone, after cutting hours, and leave you with next to nothing for food, housing expenses, or other basics.

    They don't seem to have much consideration for other survival needs as long as you pay into their plans. Their logic on this trend is flawed. It's already causing stagnation and low morale.

21. AnonymousMarch 18,2026 at 1:36AM UTC

    I feel the exact same way. Ive been offered to move up but the leadership is a**cheeks, so only thing now is to move around. They are upping our insurance by $100 per paycheck. I opted out of that so fast. lol

22. AnonymousMarch 15,2026 at 2:57PM UTC

    Navigating a CEO transition that has successfully destroyed a strong culture of trust, transparency, and respect. New CEO continues to treat legacy staff terribly (who are doing all the heavy lifting) while hiring former colleagues and friends who are being promoted after a few short months. Definitely feeling trapped in a toxic work environment - while keeping my ears and eyes open to the next opportunity. Applications are going out - however it feels like a lost cause in our current employment market. At the end of the day, I’m grateful to be employed… hugging this role.

23. AnonymousMarch 16,2026 at 1:56PM UTC

    Something similar happened to me at an old job. New president changed the culture, started not backfilling positions, and threw all our awesome lean process improvement work out the window. I dusted off my resume and was gone within the year. Times were better then.

24. AnonymousMarch 15,2026 at 5:09PM UTC

    I stayed for 17+ years. I had what I called "golden handcuffs". By the time I hit year 3 I had surpassed all the previous sales for the company. Because there were many contingency contracts, I wouldn't be able to collect my commission until after the projects were completed and paid for...often years. In my case, when they let me go at year 17, they blamed it on Covid, then within 3-4 weeks they collected millions of dollars on projects i sold. Because they let me go, they were able to keep all my commission.... almost $750k. And I had no recourse. What I did have was an ulcer, an unforgiving daily migraine and pretty bad taste in my mouth.

    It's difficult to move when your hands are tied financially. There's always a misguided sense of loyalty...and it's usually one-sided.

    You must believe that it's ok to want more. More happiness, responsibility, freedom, money...whatever. Or less.

    It's OK.

    Plan ahead. Prepare. Make the jump

25. AnonymousMarch 16,2026 at 12:36PM UTC

    I would definitely try to find an attorney to see if you could recoup some of those commissions.

26. AnonymousMarch 16,2026 at 3:11PM UTC

    That is dirty what they did to you. I hope its not too late to take them to court. That is your money.

27. AnonymousMarch 16,2026 at 12:09PM UTC

    I can identify as a job hugger however I am applying for new jobs regularly . Its only been 11 months at the current company but I know it's time to go or misery will present itself soon.

28. AnonymousMarch 16,2026 at 2:07PM UTC

    I was a job hugger for a little over a year, while trying to find something else. At the end of the year, I was “managed out” and replaced by 2 25 year olds. A nice savings for the organization, and a wonderful opportunity for two very inexperienced people.

    This is the worst job market I have ever experienced.

29. AnonymousMarch 20,2026 at 5:47PM UTC

    Stop job hugging -- follow your inspriations and create space in the job market for the rest of us!