In the dynamic world of the workplace, there's a trend that is surging called ‘office frogs,' a phenomenon that entails frequently switching from one job to another. The name is an analogy for how employees ‘hop' from one organisation to another, almost like how frogs jump from one lily pad to another lily pad.
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While there may be better opportunities or prospects for career growth, which may justify job changes, there's always a point beyond which it can begin to affect your mental health. So is there a safe limit? HT Lifestyle reached out to experts to get a comprehensive picture of this workplace trend, understanding how it can be approached mindfully.
Mental health checks: What are the safe limits?
The frequent job changes, now dubbed ‘office frogging,’ may seem like a way to advance quickly. Dr Sanjay Kumawat, consultant, psychiatrist and sexologist, Fortis Hospital, Mulund, Mumbai, told HT Lifestyle that many change jobs in search of growth, better perks, brand names, or proximity to home. But frequent switches can also occur from negative reasons like impulsive decisions, low emotional resilience, repeated workplace frustration, anxiety, low-self esteem and burnout. Constantly moving from one job can take a serious toll not only on mental health but also on overall career stability.
But here are some mental checks which Dr Kumawat indicates when it is okay to consider changing jobs:
- Emotionally, you are drained out daily when you come home. The job remains in mind, even though you are at home with your near and dears, as you just can’t make the switch.
- You get frustrated easily at home, leading to temper tantrum at your relatives and neighbours.
- The anxiety is so much that you suffer from tension, headache, sleeplessness, and there’s continuous pressure to attend the office tomorrow again
- Cognitively, you cannot think of anything, lose interest in the surroundings, lose self-confidence because of constant battering by seniors, develop low self-esteem and poor motivation.
Who are most likely to ‘frog jump’?
Gen Z is leading this shift, prioritising flexibility over rigid notions of stability. Vishal Sood, founder and CEO of Placecom, also shared with us his insights, highlighting this trend in the younger workforce.
Revealing why Gen Z frog jumps, he elaborated, “Unlike previous generations, Gen Z evaluates every professional experience through the lens of alignment: alignment with personal values, mental well-being, learning opportunities, and leadership transparency. When organisations fall short, young employees don’t hesitate to ‘frog jump’ to the next opportunity that promises greater fulfilment.” According to him, office frogging isn't a threat; it is a signal. Gen Z is redefining the future of work, and companies that adapt their culture to be more accommodating of wellbeing and growth will thrive.
How can employees and employers handle the office frogging trend?
Now that office frogging is becoming increasingly common, the question is how employees and employers can handle it wisely by weighing the pros and cons. While it can offer better pay and new opportunities, frequent job changes can also lead to mental fatigue, instability, and long-term career issues. So essentially, it is a double-edged sword.
Peter Duris, CEO and co-Founder of AI-based career app Kickresume, shared tips for both employees and employers on how to approach office frogging:
Tips for employees
- Be mindful of how job hopping might look: It's important to remember how this may come across to employers when they look at your CV. One way to counteract this is to turn your job hopping into a strength and explain why you chose to leave your previous roles.
- Make sure each role is worth the move: If your current role still offers learning opportunities, or if a potential new role doesn’t provide many new skills, it may be worth staying where you are.
- Don’t speak badly of your old employers: During interviews, it’s best to focus on the positives of previous roles and what you learned and achieved rather than what you didn’t. Speaking badly about an old job could deter potential employers.
Tips for employers
Likewise, Peter also provided tips for employers on how to help prevent high turnover rates:
- Offer competitive salaries: One of the main drivers of office frogging is higher pay, so offering competitive salaries can help employers retain top talent.
- Reevaluate your benefits package: Expand the benefits package. The perks and benefits of a job are typically one of the main reasons employees choose to stay.
- Encourage a supportive and social culture: Encourage a healthy work-life balance and create social events to help your teams bond and socialise, which may help boost the mood of employees and encourage them to stay.
Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions about a medical condition.