Business Ghosting 101

 

💨 What is "Ghosting" in Business?

In a business context, ghosting refers to a person or company cutting off communication without explanation. This might look like:

  • A recruiter not responding after an interview.

  • A client disappearing after requesting a proposal.

  • A vendor ignoring follow-ups after initial talks.

  • A candidate dropping out of a hiring process with no notice.

📈 How Common Is It?

Unfortunately, ghosting happens across many industries, and it's not one-sided. Research and anecdotal evidence show:

  • Candidates ghosting employers is rising, especially since the job market tightened post-COVID.

  • Employers ghosting candidates remains a long-standing issue, especially in high-volume hiring or during internal reorgs.

  • Brands ghosting freelancers after pitching ideas or submitting work is especially common in creative industries (design, writing, marketing, entertainment).

  • Business partners or clients ghosting during contract negotiations or post-pitch happens in everything from tech to entertainment to agency work.

📚 Articles & Studies on Business Ghosting

There’s a growing body of writing and commentary around this:

  • Harvard Business Review, Forbes, and Fast Company have written about it—usually tied to hiring practices.

  • A LinkedIn Talent Trends report mentioned that up to 77% of job seekers have been ghosted by an employer.

  • Recruiter.com and SHRM (Society for Human Resource Management) have covered how companies can create better communication practices to avoid ghosting talent.

  • In the creative world, platforms like Medium, The Drum, and Adweek have featured op-eds from freelancers and agency folks venting about ghosting from clients and brands after unpaid pitches.

🤔 Why It Happens

  • Avoidance: People avoid delivering bad news or awkward rejections.

  • Overwhelm: High volumes of work, internal chaos, or disorganization can lead to neglect.

  • Power Imbalance: Sometimes companies ghost because they feel they can, especially when they’re in the “buyer” position.

  • Shift in Priorities: Projects or roles get deprioritized, and communication falls through the cracks.

🧠 Why It's a Problem

  • Erodes trust and damages reputations.

  • Wastes time and emotional energy.

  • Breaks down industry relationships.

  • Causes resentment, especially in industries reliant on networking and referrals.

📌 TL;DR

Yes—ghosting is very real in business, increasingly common, and spans multiple industries. It’s been well-documented and criticized, particularly in hiring, freelancing, and B2B relationships. While not new, the post-pandemic work landscape and the rise of remote/digital communication have probably made it even easier to disappear.

If you’re experiencing ghosting, you're not alone—and it’s something many people are speaking up about now.

Guest User