08-14-2026ASK THE EXPERTS

Why ‘career cushioning’ is booming

These days, it’s essential to have an employment safety net.

[Source Photo: Getty Images]

In a world of increasing uncertainty, workplace loyalty has shifted dramatically as employees adopt strategies to protect their careers from sudden disruption. Developing backup plans and parallel skill sets has become a must-have rather than a nice-to-have. Below, experts examine why professionals are building safety nets and what it means for the future of employment relationships.

Prove Relevance As Roles Evolve

Career cushioning is gaining traction because what people are protecting against has changed. It used to mean keeping a résumé current in case of layoffs. Now it means........

© Fast Company