This is defined as the inability of labour to shift from one job or occupation to another.

Despite efforts by workers to seek jobs that will get them the best rewards, there are certain factors which make it difficult for them to move from one occupation to another,. These include:-

Inadequate ability to take up the desired job, for instance not every accountant can make a successful accounting manager, not every teacher can make a successful head teacher, etc..

Period of training and education in order to satisfy the requirements for a particular job may be too long and costly for one's liking. Similarly, people trained for highly skilled and technical jobs may find it difficult to change jobs.

Age;- one may be too old to change jobs. As people become old, they tend to sit back and boast of their experience and are reluctant to take on new jobs.

Area of location:- by changing jobs, one may be  required to change place of employment and if the alternative location is not to one's liking , this results into occupational immobility.

Pleasantness of an occupation and the status or prestige associated with the job. Un pleasant and low status job may cause one to be occupationally immobile for instance, one may prefer to earn less as a bank cashier than earn more as a plumber or mechanic.

The degree of specificity. Highly specialized labour tends to be highly immobile occupationally e.g. an eye specialist, an architect etc..

Labour rewards :- if the labour rewards are low for the alternative job opportunity, labour will stay in its current employment hence occupational immobility.

Occupational hazards which are the risks associated with a particular job discourage people from joining it, hence causing occupational immobility of labour.

Professional restrictions into fields like accountancy, architecture, medicine, law etc.. These are in the form of unnecessarily tough restrictive entry examinations and other requirements which stop other people from joining such professions cause occupational immobility.

Lack of knowledge or ignorance about existing job opportunities in alternative fields which are more rewarding, also causes occupational labour immobility.

Possibility of further training and promotion at the current occupation will force one to stay even if there is an alternative job paying higher elsewhere.

Discrimination on the basis of sex, race, age, religion and political affiliation in certain jobs causes occupational labour immobility.

Restrictions by trade unions of particular occupations not to shift from one occupation to another too causes occupational labour immobility.