Geopolitical instability and rising unemployment in Poland are driving a trend of “job hugging,” where workers forgo better salaries for the security of their current positions.
Economic Headwinds and Job Market Shifts
Geopolitical turmoil and global economic stagnation are impacting the Polish labor market, leading to a decrease in job postings—down 7 percent year-on-year—and a rise in unemployment to 6.1 percent in February 2024, the highest rate since autumn 2021.
Companies are responding by optimizing costs through hiring freezes, automation, and evaluating less effective roles.
The Rise of “Job Hugging”
This environment is fostering a cautious approach among employees, resulting in “job hugging”—a reluctance to change jobs, even when offered higher compensation. A recent survey indicates that 22 percent of Poles state nothing would entice them to leave their current employer.
Loyalty vs. Engagement
Employers recognize this trend, with nearly 45 percent assessing their staff as only “moderately loyal,” indicating a degree of detachment and disengagement. This results in superficial stability without corresponding productivity gains.
True Loyalty: Engagement and Performance
A report by Trenkwalder emphasizes that genuine loyalty is demonstrated through engagement and high-quality work, a view shared by over 52 percent of employers and 69 percent of employees.
This distinguishes loyal team members from those simply “job hugging.”
Meeting Employee Needs: Stability and Boundaries
To foster engagement, companies must address employee needs, with stable income and financial security being the top priority for 53.4 percent of respondents.
Beyond finances, employees are establishing clear boundaries, prioritizing work-life balance (46.6 percent) and flexible working hours (38.2 percent) over career advancement (27.2 percent).
The Value of Appreciation and Respect
Employees now seek appreciation, open communication, and respect for their experience (31.6 percent). With Poland facing a demographic decline—a natural population decrease of -4.3 percent from January to September 2025—retaining specialists is a strategic challenge.
Employers who build a connection based on recognition, purpose, and self-realization will be most successful.