Hey there,

Be honest — are you hugging your job tighter than a clingy ex?

Because apparently, that’s a thing now. It’s called Job Hugging

It’s when people stay in a job not because they love it, but because the thought of looking for a new one feels scarier than accidentally hitting “Reply All.” 😬

🤖 AI Anxiety: The Plot Twist No One Asked For

And then there’s AI, the guest at every career conversation.
According to Pew Research, 64% of folks think AI will lead to fewer jobs.
And EY says 65% are already anxious about it.

Basically, half your workforce is secretly Googling, “Can ChatGPT do my job?” and the other half is pretending they’re totally fine.

💔 Quiet Cracking: When Burnout Becomes a Lifestyle

If “quiet quitting” was the 2022 anthem, “quiet cracking” is the 2025 remix.
TalentLMS coined the term, and honestly, it fits — people are cracking under pressure, not because they don’t care, but because they care too much.

They’re working harder, saying yes to everything, attending one too many “urgent syncs,” and then crying silently over Excel sheets.

📉 Gallup says engagement is down to 21% — which means 79% of people are mentally on airplane mode.
They’re not lazy. They’re exhausted. But too scared to leave.

So, they stay. They “job hug.” And slowly, they quiet crack.

💡 So What Can HR Do (Apart from Manifesting Peace)?

1️⃣ Acknowledge the Fear (Don’t Gaslight It):
People aren’t lazy. They’re scared. HR’s job is to make work feel less like Squid Game and more like Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara.

2️⃣ Talk About AI Like It’s Family:
Don’t whisper about it like a secret affair.
Explain how AI fits in, train your people, and assure them it’s a helper — not a villain in a black hoodie.

3️⃣ Train Before You Blame:
EY found 80% of people trust AI more when they’re trained on it.
So yes, workshops > whisper networks.

4️⃣ Build Safety That’s Psychological, Not Just Policy-ical:
People need to know they won’t get zapped for being human.
Let them mess up, question, experiment — you’ll get innovation instead of hesitation.

5️⃣ Shift From “Retention” to “Relevance”:
Instead of making people stay, make them want to grow.
If they see a future, they won’t cling — they’ll contribute.

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Before you log off, here’s something to think about 👇

Job hugging isn’t loyalty — it’s survival mode.
True retention happens when leaders replace fear with trust, learning, and chai (never forget the chai!). That’s when people stay not because they have to, but because it feels right. ❤️

Take a moment to soak in the festive vibes, recharge, and step into the post-Diwali week feeling inspired!

See you next Tuesday,
— Your HR BFFs at TSOW