Everything To Know About Quiet Quitting

Each year brings a new host of buzzwords to the market. This year, it seems the phrase “quiet quitting” has been thrown around more than ever before. While it’s not a new concept, it’s something many have never heard of before, leaving many wondering everything there is to know about quiet quitting.

The last few years have seen a major shift in the working world, and now, it appears many have had enough of the nine-to-five grind that’s held us down for so long. At first, it might sound like someone is leaving their job. However, there is a lot more to quiet quitting than walking away from your career.

What is quiet quitting?

Quiet quitting has nothing to do with someone leaving their job. Instead, it means employees only work within their job description, refusing to take on extra tasks or work longer hours than they’re contracted to do. This usually means doing the bare minimum to get the job done and working on more of a work-life balance instead of a “work is life” mentality. Once workers are home or log off for the day, they forget all about the office and any tasks that need to be done. While it’s a great idea to have a work-life balance, quiet quitting could also mean someone’s unhappy with their job and could be experiencing burnout. The Great Resignation has also seen people start to think about looking for other careers, especially if they’re unhappy in their current role. 

What causes employees to quiet quit?

Believe it or not, but quiet quitting isn’t new to 2022. Instead, it’s been around for years as people take a step back from their positions to focus on their personal lives or look for a new job. Asana ran a recent survey and found seven out of ten employees have suffered burnout in the last 12 months. The problem? Employees now make more mistakes at work, are less engaged, and are more likely to leave a company. While quiet quitting has been around for years, the global pandemic saw it become more prominent than ever before. Working from home hasn’t helped the matter, with more wanting to spend more time with loved ones instead of working. The growing rise in inflation compared to dwindling wages has also seen many employees fall out of love with their work.

What are the signs of quiet quitting?

The signs of quiet quitting vary from person to person. However, some of the more obvious signs can be someone is contributing less to team projects or not participating in meetings or planning discussions. Employees can also show a lack of enthusiasm or passion for their work and have reduced productivity. To top it off, many also stop showing up for meetings altogether and might start to arrive late or leave early. 

How can employers tackle quiet quitting?

The rise in quiet quitting has left many employers wondering what they can do to help their employees. One of the best places to start is by talking to your employees and learning why they’re unhappy. Sometimes, it can be something as simple as giving your employees regular praise when they do something well instead of only focusing on when things go wrong. Another brilliant thing to consider is setting realistic workloads and creating work-life boundaries that allow employees to have a personal life away from the office. Tools to manage stress can help employees feel heard and give them ways to cope when things are trying at work. Of course, some employees might find a raise or bonus is the only thing that keeps them interested in work.

Learning all there is to know about quiet quitting might not make the issue go away, but it can help employees and employers get back on the same page. Thankfully, it can often only take a few minor changes to help everyone feel more appreciated and fall back in love with the position.