Recent data reveals the widespread occurrence of ghosting in the hiring process, affecting employers significantly.
- A survey by Indeed finds 86% of UK jobseekers have failed to attend interviews without notice.
- Younger generations, particularly Gen Z and Millennials, are leading this trend with varying perceptions.
- There is a significant impact on businesses, including increased stress and resource strain.
- Economic factors like the cost-of-living crisis are influencing ghosting behaviors among jobseekers.
Ghosting, a term usually associated with dating, has become increasingly prevalent in the employment sector, as evidenced by recent research results from the global hiring platform Indeed. An overwhelming 86% of job applicants in the UK have reportedly missed scheduled interviews without prior notification. This trend, noted by a survey involving 1,500 businesses and 1,500 employees, indicates a shift in communication norms within the job market.
Younger generations, especially Gen Z (ages 18-24) and Millennials (ages 25-44), are prominently involved in this practice. A striking 79% of these demographics admitted to ghosting in the past twelve months. However, attitudes vary; Gen Z appears to embrace this approach more openly, with a considerable 93% opting out of interviews, and 87% not appearing for their first day at work. This generation often cites unsatisfactory prospective workplace experiences as a reason. A notable 18% also believe ghosting provides them with greater control over their career paths. Meanwhile, Millennials express more regret, with 32% feeling anxious after ghosting and 64% worrying about future repercussions.
This behavior is not confined to younger workers. Ghosting has gained traction across all age categories, with 43% of jobseekers planning to ghost again. Approximately 31% find it acceptable to ghost before an interview, while 28% believe it is permissible during communication with hiring representatives. Notably, 38% of jobseekers admitted to ghosting by ignoring employer messages during the recruitment process.
Research shows jobseekers justify their ghosting actions by pointing to similar experiences with employers. Roughly 20% have encountered businesses failing to attend phone interviews, and 23% have had offers withdrawn post-discussion. A substantial 55% agree that if employers ghost candidates, reciprocation is justified. Surprisingly, over one-third of companies concur that this perspective is reasonable.
Significant repercussions for businesses have surfaced as ghosting becomes normalized. This phenomenon is causing substantial delays in hiring, with 89% of businesses acknowledging it as a challenge. A notable 55% of employers report that ghosting complicates recruitment efforts, and nearly half cite increased stress and burnout within hiring teams.
Economic considerations play an impactful role, with the cost-of-living crisis highlighted as a major factor. As jobseekers seek roles offering better financial incentives, 37% admit the crisis has swayed their decisions to ghost in favor of higher-paying opportunities. Enhancements such as improved salaries, benefits, and pay transparency are noted as potential deterrents to ghosting. However, businesses are lagging in addressing these issues effectively.
Danny Stacy, UK Head of Talent Intelligence at Indeed, remarked, “It’s evident that ghosting has become an unwelcome phenomenon for employers, impacting the time, productivity, and well-being of hiring teams. Despite generational differences in behavior and attitudes towards ghosting, the research underscores clear methods for businesses to prevent abrupt candidate withdrawal from recruitment processes. Transparency regarding financial packages is a crucial step in mitigating ghosting incidents.”
Ghosting in the recruitment process presents significant challenges for employers, necessitating strategic adjustments to attract and retain candidates effectively.
