Amidst geopolitical uncertainty and rising unemployment, a growing number of Polish workers are choosing to remain in their current jobs, even forgoing higher salaries elsewhere.
Rising Unemployment and Economic Headwinds
Geopolitical turmoil and a stagnating global economy are impacting the Polish labor market, leading to a new trend: “job hugging.” Increasingly, Poles are abandoning plans to change companies, with even higher salaries failing to entice them to leave their current positions.
The Polish economy is increasingly affected by geopolitical instability and global stagnation, reflected in declining job offers. Facing creeping inflation and uncertainty, companies are optimizing costs by freezing recruitment, automating processes, and reassessing less effective roles. This has resulted in a 7% year-on-year decrease in job postings and a rise in unemployment to 6.1% in February, the highest rate since autumn 2021.
The “Job Hugging” Phenomenon
This situation fosters caution among employees, leading to a tendency to cling to their current jobs, even when experiencing professional dissatisfaction.
According to the “Polish Labor Market Barometer,” 22% of Poles state that nothing would induce them to change employers, even a higher salary offer. Employees are opting for a strategy of maximum security, though this shouldn’t be equated with loyalty.
Perceived Lack of Loyalty and Superficial Stability
Employers recognize this trend, with nearly 45% assessing their staff as only “moderately loyal”—partially detached and not fully engaged. Consequently, companies achieve only apparent stability, which doesn’t translate into adequate productivity.
The True Meaning of Loyalty: Engagement and Performance
A report, “Challenges for Employers. Strategies for Building Employee Loyalty,” by Trenkwalder, suggests that genuine loyalty, translating to organizational effectiveness, is primarily driven by engagement and high-quality work. This view is shared by 52.4% of surveyed employers and 69.4% of employees.
Real initiative and willingness to take on additional responsibility distinguish a loyal team member from a “job hugger.”
Prioritizing Financial Security and Clear Boundaries
However, for employees to demonstrate such engagement, companies must meet their needs. The study indicates that a stable income and financial security are paramount for 53.4% of respondents, aligning with Maslow’s hierarchy of needs.
Without a competitive and satisfying salary, additional benefits or development workshops may be counterproductive.
Beyond financial considerations, employees are establishing clear boundaries, seeking work-life balance (46.6%) and flexible working hours (38.2%). The pursuit of promotions has become less important (27.2%). Employees now prioritize appreciation, open communication, and respect for their experience (31.6%).
The Demographic Challenge and Employer Strategies
With Poland experiencing a declining birth rate—a natural increase of -4.3% from January to September 2025—retaining specialists is a strategic challenge. Employers who foster a sense of appreciation, purpose, and self-realization will succeed.