September 23, 2025

234. Job hugging, Microsoft meltdowns and career regrets. PLUS! The truth about white noise and your brain - This Week in Work, 23rd September 2025

47 minutes

Welcome back to Truth, Lies & Work, the award-winning podcast where behavioral science meets workplace culture.

Hosted by Chartered Occupational Psychologist Leanne Elliott and business owner Al Elliott, bringing you the latest workplace stories that actually matter.

This week we explore "job hugging" - the new workplace trend where people stay in roles they don't love out of fear rather than engagement. Plus troubling reports from inside Microsoft suggest a cultural shift leaving employees feeling powerless, and we launch our new "Truth or Lie?" segment examining whether white noise actually helps concentration.

News Roundup:

Job Hugging - The New Workplace Trend

The flip side of quiet quitting where people stay in jobs they don't love due to market uncertainty. Affects younger workers choosing security over progression.

Nicole Williamson's LinkedIn post: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/nicolewilliamsorganisationalpsychology_first-we-had-quiet-quitting-now-its-activity-7373611657425559552-NZL-?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAAPpxk8B1ivB8GiszIgdppDkaIkcd6hBmOo

Microsoft Culture Crisis

Reports from a 7-year employee describing managers who look "like pinballs, completely powerless" and colleagues "jumping ship." Shows how culture frays slowly before collapse.

Microsoft story: https://www.financialexpress.com/trending/its-scaring-me-microsoft-employee-of-7-years-says-current-work-culture-has-changed-for-the-worse/3982230/

Arthur Brooks on Career Risk

Research shows the biggest workplace risk isn't failing - it's living with regret because you never tried. Fear of regret makes us play it safe and avoid growth opportunities.

Simon Sinek article: https://www.cnbc.com/2025/09/18/simon-sinek-backwards-career-moves-can-make-you-happier-more-successful.html

Truth or Lie?!

This week's question: does white noise help you concentrate? The answer: true, but only for some people. Research shows it helps those with ADHD or attention difficulties, but actually harms performance in people with strong focus.

Workplace Surgery:

Real listener questions this week:

Dealing with unfulfilling work when your team and manager are great

Managing a brilliant employee who's struggling after promotion to management

Building genuine passion in your team as a young entrepreneur

Get in touch:

Connect with Al on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thisisalelliott/

Connect with Leanne on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meetleanne

Join the discussion about this episode on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/truthlieswork/

Email: [email protected]

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YouTube channel: @TruthLiesWork

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