Whether you’re in a work slump, drowning in tasks, or simply suffering from the dog days of summer — you might be slipping into habits that will lead to quiet quitting.
“Quiet quitting” is a new term that’s been coined in the past few months. It’s not nearly as extreme as the ‘great resignation,’ but it holds great power in today’s work environment.
What is Quiet Quitting?
Quiet quitting is a new work term that can be seen in two different ways. On one hand, it’s another term for employee disengagement. The signs of quiet quitting are usually diminished motivation and low engagement. In the end, no one wants to be (or have) the employee that’s quietly quitting.
To be fair, there aren’t many people who haven’t flirted with quiet quitting in some way, shape, or form in the past few years. In 2020, burnout was on everyone’s tongue, and in 2021, the great resignation occurred.
It’s no secret that work/life balance has been off kilter for many of us and a lot of people are quiet quitting as a result.
Is Quiet Quitting Bad?
@zaidleppelin On quiet quitting #workreform ♬ original sound – ruby
While the idea of quiet quitting isn’t encouraged, it’s not as bad as it sounds. If you zoom out, quiet quitting is really a healthy response to an overwhelming or unhealthy amount of work.
The Washington Post makes the differentiation that “quiet quitters aren’t walking away from their jobs. Instead they’re renouncing hustle culture, quitting ‘the idea of going above and beyond at work.’” By that definition, quiet quitting isn’t necessarily bad. Your work shouldn’t take all of your energy and your life. You should have a balance and work to live, not live to work.
Some people define quiet quitting as simply doing the work they’re paid to do. By walking away from hustle culture, employees are no longer letting their jobs define them and they’re spending the hours they used to invest in their jobs to build a life outside of work.
That being said, if you notice yourself starting to do the bare minimum in your work tasks and attempting to just get things done instead of finishing things well, you might be starting to drift into a quiet quitting lifestyle.
Are You Quiet Quitting?
There are a few signs to look out for that might be indicators of quiet quitting. The first thing to note is your motivation. Work might not always be the most exciting thing in the world, but you should have at least some motivation while you’re there.
The next thing to take stock of is your productivity. If you’re doing the bare minimum that’s required of you and withdrawing from the team, coworkers, or any communication, you might be starting to quietly quit.
What to do When You’re Quietly Quitting
@managermethod #quietquitting #worktok #hrtiktok #pov #worklife #workstress #corporate #hrtok #whattosay ♬ original sound – Manager Method
I think this video gives a great explanation of what quiet quitting is and how to deal with it. At its core, quiet quitting is a defense mechanism people are using to avoid burnout. In the video, @ManagerMethod says that her least favorite part about quiet quitting is the quiet part.
If you’re feeling the need to withdraw from your tasks at work and you’re getting overwhelmed, talk to your manager. Let them know that you’re putting boundaries in at work or you’re reinforcing the boundaries you’ve already made. No (good) boss wants their employees to always be on the verge of a breakdown or burnout. And odds are, if you’re beginning to quietly quit, you’re more than likely not the only one.
Have you ever heard of quiet quitting before? What do you think of it? Comment below!
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