You might have seen the phrase pop up all over the place in recent months – from TikTok Influencers to news outlets, social media posts and maybe even your family members – it feels like everyone has been talking about this newly coined term!
But what does it mean, and why does it matter?
We thought it was time to find out.
So, What is Quiet Quitting?
Quiet quitting is the term given to people who have decided to give up on the hustle focus of the office and instead are doing the bare minimum required from them for their job.
In office culture, there has been an over-reliance and encouragement for taking on extra work, staying late, and doing tasks or activities above your own paid level of employment to get promoted or be congratulated for your contribution to the workplace.
Quiet quitting is a way to retaliate against this mindset and press pause on the stress and burnout that comes with it. Some people see it as a way to gain a better work-life balance, and others are using it to slow down while they rethink their career paths.
It’s not about not doing any work at all, but only doing precisely what you’re paid to do, for the hours you’re paid to do it.
Why is Everyone Talking About Quiet Quitting?
While the term has become super popular this year, it’s not a new practice in the workplace.
Many people have done something similar for years for several different reasons, including:
- Having a new job offer on the table and working out their notice period.
- Poor pay and low opportunity for pay progression.
- Lack of training and development opportunities.
- Unmanageable workloads and expectations to do more.
- Stress and burnout.
- Feeling unsure about whether this is the job they want to stay in.
According to Asana’s 2022 Anatomy of Work report, Seven out of 10 people experienced burnout in the workplace over the past year. The report found that employees suffering from burnout are less engaged, make more mistakes, are more likely to leave the company and are at a higher risk for low morale.
During the pandemic, more people than ever had the chance to think about their work-life balance and what their jobs offer them.
When it came time to return to the office, lots of people decided their work was no longer what they wanted to do – leading to the so-called Great Resignation created by COVID-19 – and for those who couldn’t simply resign, many took to quiet quitting.
How Do You Know if You’re Quiet Quitting?
You don’t have to be in a big professional office job to feel like quiet quitting. You might be more at risk of quiet quitting if you’re in a position you already know you don’t want to do but need for the time being.
Sings you might be engaging in quiet quitting without realising it include:
- Showing up on time and leaving the second it’s time to clock off.
- Turning down extra shifts or overtime.
- Sticking to the work tasks and activities that are easy and form an essential part of your position.
- Not sharing ideas or suggestions for improvements in the workplace.
- Not worrying about impressing your boss by doing extra work or tasks.
- Not engaging with other team members wholeheartedly or at all.
What Should You Do if You Feel Like Quiet Quitting?
We believe you should feel motivated and purposeful at work – and while quiet quitting can have a place, sometimes it’s probably not the best way to get what you want out of the workplace!
If you feel like you’re quiet quitting, here are some suggestions on what to do instead:
- Ask yourself what you’re achieving at work: Taking some time to think about what makes you tick and keeps you engaged at work is an excellent activity to undertake — and can help you assess whether your current role is providing you with this. If it isn’t, it might be time to look elsewhere.
- Speak with your manager: Chatting with your manager about how you feel can be helpful, but make sure you talk to them about what you want from the workplace. An honest conversation can help them support you better – or help you decide your next steps. Your manager is there to encourage and help you thrive at work – they can help more than you realise, but only if you talk to them.
- Research your chosen industry and job market: it’s okay if you decide your current job isn’t for you, but don’t quit quietly without making positive changes. Research your chosen industry and next steps and make a proactive plan to move on.
Find Your Next Opportunity
Life is too short to sit around doing the bare minimum in a job that you’re passionate about!
If quiet quitting feels appealing in your job at any time, we use that to motivate you to find something new you’ll love!
Future you will thank yourself for it – and so will your teammates (no one likes to work with unmotivated, unenthusiastic people!).
Ready to discover what your next career passion might be? Our Careers Quiz is THE best place to start – Check it out today!
