What is quiet quitting? Employees are setting boundaries for better work-life balance

What is quiet quitting? Employees are creating boundaries to prioritise a better work-life balance

The term is gaining popularity on TikTok as several young professionals define their controlled enthusiasm as a discreet form of resigning. As several professionals reject the idea of going above and beyond in their employment and characterise their weakening passion as a type of "quitting," the expression is generating millions of views on TikTok. These workers claim it is not about leaving the organisation’s payroll. In reality, the goal is to remain on task while concentrating on your extracurricular activities. This "silent resignation" has been practised for years, but its recent resurgence in popularity speaks a lot about the state of employment today. Quiet resignation has drawn a lot of media attention, and the practice has been extensively covered.

It's not a new phenomenon in several ways: coasting or checking in and out while doing the bare minimum, has long been a part of the workplace. Dissatisfied employees have always found a way to quit their jobs while still collecting their pay checks for a variety of reasons. But the debate about the recently coined idea of "silent resigning" seems to have particularly resonated at this time. According to a Gallup report released in April 2022[1], employee engagement decreased in 2022. What does its mass adoption reveal about our larger cultural views regarding labour and our careers over the long term, and why is that the case specifically?

It is an ongoing phenomenon

Although the expression "quiet quitting" may be contemporary, Anthony Klotz[2], an associate professor at the University of College London's School of Management, argues that the concept is not. Klotz says workers prefer to peel down the above-and-beyond element of a job to its core nine-to-five. "Although this has come from a younger generation and in new labels, this trend has been researched under many identities for decades: disengagement, neglect, withdrawal." "Additional behaviours that go the extra mile for an organisation, but sometimes take a personal impact," says one expert. "These include arriving early to work and remaining late, helping a colleague out at the sacrifice of your own tasks, and showing as much attention to your role as possible.

Why is "quiet quitting" so popular? 

Since the pandemic and increased discussions about mental health have become more relatively common, the concept of quiet quitting seems to be highly pertinent right now. The ongoing "quiet-quitting" tendency reflects a bigger shift in how professionals perceive their employment following the pandemic. It's a critique of extended workdays, unpaid overtime, and always-on reduced absenteeism in the service of a company, not a protest against the workplace.

With quiet quitting, we're witnessing a moment of prioritisation: the change of working priorities in people's lives to make place for family, friends, and hobbies. The COVID-19 outbreak has increased chances for remote work and a new push toward work-life balance to fight and actively push back against burnout and overwork, which is another trend that is related to this one.

Managers and leaders also have an impact

The management likewise has a duty to deal with employees who quietly leave their jobs and burn out.

If workers are not engaged, it is the responsibility of the manager to find out why rather than making assumptions or avoid the problem.

Quiet quitting is indeed a cry for support from work; it is crucial that managers pay attention to feedback and take significant action. Communicating is a process, it's not the final chapter.

How to Prevent it and Overcome Burnout

Short periods of quiet quitting may prevent burnout if you use them wisely rather than making it your way of thinking all the time. No one will ever be focused on work all the time. Talk to your manager if you feel burned out. Explain why your workload is too much right now and offer options for how it might be reduced. Give yourself opportunities to recharge and rest. Lewis advises, make sure you're using your Leave. Go for a stroll, relax outside, and have lunch away from your laptop. Get those endorphins going by working out during your lunch break. You'll feel less stuck as a result, and it may also inspire innovative ideas.

Set aside time for your hobbies, family, and friends. Making time for hobbies and interests outside of work can help you stay connected and make career decisions based on strategy rather than feeling unmotivated and burnt out.

Evaluate your opportunities. Examine your options to see if you are headed in the right direction. Career coaching can provide objective advice from a person who has no direct interest in the result. It can aid in your goal setting and research of your options, prospects, and aspirations.

Find a new position. If your current position leaves you feeling unfulfilled, it's time to hit the pavement and look for a new position. Start networking and finding new opportunities that fit your skill set and financial objectives.

For support or career advice, check out our resources:

• view the latest vacancies at Gazette Jobs, where you can sign up for job alerts and upload your CV
• read our comprehensive career development advice
• visit our careers YouTube channel to find videos which cover common career queries.