“Job hugging” is an emerging global trend — and it might be taking hold among doctors too.
The term describes employees who stay in their current job, even when they’ve outgrown it, wish for change, or could find better conditions elsewhere.

It’s a form of risk avoidance: staying with what’s familiar feels safer than venturing into the unknown. And in uncertain job markets, that sense of safety can easily outweigh the potential benefits of change.

Could “Job Hugging” Be Common Among Doctors?

The conditions certainly exist.
Over the past two years, the Danish job market for doctors has tightened significantly.
Two years ago, there were around 400 open physician positions across the regions. Today, that number is closer to 200.

Hiring freezes in several regions, fewer patients in private hospitals, and reduced opportunities in countries like Norway have left doctors with fewer job options.
When opportunities shrink, many professionals choose to stay where they are — even if the position no longer feels like a good fit.

Poll Results: A Recognizable Pattern

A recent poll in the Facebook group “Doctor Jobs and Medical Life” shows that many doctors recognize this pattern:

  • 66% know a colleague who stays in a job where they don’t thrive.

  • 21% know doctors who want a new job but don’t apply.

  • 13% don’t recognize this pattern.

(Source: Facebook group “Doctor Jobs and Medical Life (In Danish: Lægejob og Lægeliv”)

The Illusion of Loyalty

From the outside, “job hugging” can look like stability and loyalty — staff stay in their positions for longer.
But beneath the surface, it may signal frustration, stagnation, and even quiet disengagement.

Leaders risk misreading low turnover as a sign of satisfaction. In reality, it can mask unspoken dissatisfaction that builds up until the market opens again — and suddenly, many decide to leave at once.

To prevent this, it’s crucial for leaders to nurture growth and development, even for those who seem settled.

Read More:
https://www.hrdive.com/news/what-does-job-hugging-mean-for-the-workplace/761431/https://www.lloydstaffing.com/understanding-job-hugging/