Career Cuddling: Fact Or Fad?
The phrase career cuddling has recently gained attention in the UK business press, but not in the way many might assume. Rather than describing a management style, it is now being used to describe employees who cling to their jobs for fear of the external job market. In an uncertain economic climate, the question is: is career cuddling a rational response or a limiting behaviour?
9/26/20252 min read
What does career cuddling mean?
Career cuddling is the quiet comfort zone of the modern workplace. It’s when professionals hold tightly to jobs they’ve outgrown — not out of loyalty or fulfilment, but out of fear. Fear of redundancy. Fear of fierce competition. Fear of stepping into a market that feels uncertain and unpredictable.
It’s a form of professional self-protection, which can be rational in some cases, but it can also quietly limit growth, confidence and future readiness.
Evidence behind the trend
Economic uncertainty drives risk-aversion
The CIPD’s Labour Market Outlook (2024) shows that cost-of-living pressures and economic volatility have dampened job mobility. Fewer people are making voluntary moves than before the pandemic. Security has become the new currency of success.
Fear of redundancy remains high
Data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) reveals that redundancy rates are still above long-term averages. It’s no wonder people hesitate to move — especially in industries facing restructuring or automation.
Skills gaps complicate mobility
Research from Robert Walters (2024) finds a disconnect: while employers struggle to recruit for specialist roles, many candidates fear they lack the right digital or ESG-related skills. This skills-confidence gap keeps people clinging to the familiar, even when opportunities exist.
The cost of staying too comfortable
According to the Harvard Business Review (2023), staying too long in a role out of fear can lead to career stagnation, lower engagement, and even reduced long-term earnings. Psychological safety is valuable but when it becomes complacency, it can quietly erode ambition.
The challenges of career cuddling
Missed opportunities: Staying put may feel safe, but it can mean missing out on growth or more fulfilling work.
Reduced bargaining power: Long tenures without change weaken your hand in pay and promotion discussions.
Wellbeing impact: When a job no longer fits, the emotional cost often shows up as disengagement or quiet stress.
When it makes sense
Context matters.
Volatile sectors: In industries undergoing disruption, staying put can be a wise act of self-preservation.
Life stage: For professionals nearing retirement or managing major financial commitments, stability may rightly take priority.
Economic downturns: During recessions, caution isn’t cowardice — it’s strategy.
The key is to make these choices consciously, not by default.
Final verdict: fad or fact?
Career cuddling isn’t just a catchy phrase, it’s an evidence-based reflection of today’s labour market psychology. In a world of volatility and complexity, clinging to stability makes emotional sense.
But for executives and professionals, the real challenge is to hold on loosely and to stay grounded without getting stuck. That means continuing to upskill, network and explore, even when you choose to stay put and to continue to think strategically about your next steps