The 'job hugging' trend – choosing security over satisfaction

With the current high unemployment levels in South Africa, research shows that many South Africans are staying in their jobs, despite being unhappy.

Manpower South Africa MD Lyndy van den Barselaar says this is now being referred to as 'job hugging'.

"People are holding onto their jobs out of pure necessity from a security point of view... and at the same time looking for new opportunities."

Van den Barselaar explains that the reasons for this include economic volatility and the rising cost of living.

"People are nervous about going out to find new jobs, so they rather just hang onto the jobs they've got... it's not loyalty, it's survival – people are in survival mode at this stage."

She says these high levels of job dissatisfaction are creating problems for the organisations where people work, as productivity and innovation decline due to disengaged employees.

"They're not going to take risks anymore, they're not going to step out and try new things... they're rather just going to continue doing what they're doing, just plodding along."

Van den Barselaar says the long-term effects of this will be skills gaps, when they do eventually get a new opportunity and leave.

She suggests companies invest in skills development for their employees, and communicate with them about career development goals.

To listen to Lyndy van den Barselaar in conversation with Africa Melane (in for CapeTalk’s John Maytham), use the audio player below: