In about a few months’ time, we will be reaching the three-year mark since the pandemic began. We have been adjusting to our new reality by wearing masks and social distancing. Likewise, we have witnessed big changes in the job market. An unprecedented amount of people have quit their jobs searching for better opportunities, a move that has been named the Great Resignation. As stated in Forbes, “the term was coined by Texas A&M University professor Anthony Klotz, which began in early 2021 as employees started quitting their jobs at record rates. By the end of 2021, 47.8 million people left their job for other positions. Compare this to 37.7 million people who quit in 2017. As of August 2022, the pace had not slowed.”
Employees are searching for ways to improve their workplace environments and working conditions. Besides searching for better prospects, workers are implementing new strategies to achieve greater job satisfaction, such as “quiet quitting”, which has been a trending topic in social media platforms like Tik Tok. But what is “quiet quitting” and why are people embracing this change?
According to Tik Toker @zkchillin, “quiet quitting is not outright quitting your job, but quitting the idea of going above and beyond…no longer subscribing to the hustle culture mentality that work has to be your life – the reality is, it’s not.” The concept is simple: an employee works their hours and leaves on time; they don’t answer phone calls or respond to emails after clocking out, and they complete the tasks that they are hired to do. It creates this different mindset of working, where people aren’t so mentally and emotionally invested in their jobs. Still, experts like Pattie Ehsaei have associated this trend with employees doing the bare minimum required of them at work and being content with mediocrity. However, this definition disregards why people are implementing these changes in the first place. Why is this trend so appealing?
Employee satisfaction has gotten worse for younger employers who are starting out in a competitive market that pays less than earlier generations and where things are becoming more expensive because of inflation. It is harsh to criticize an employee who feels so attracted to quiet quitting without questioning why they’re feeling so drained, overworked, and exhausted that terms like this are emerging. The issue is the manager’s and bosses’ treatment of their employees that’s driving them to search for ways to ease their experiences. As remote and hybrid work modes have been incorporated into certain working environments, many employees have blurred the line between their work/life balance. Thus, “quiet quitting” has become a response and a preventative measure to burnout, which many experienced at the height of the pandemic and are continuing to feel today.
However, the reality is that incorporating this mindset is easier said than done. Not everyone has the chance to quit their jobs. Equally, the assignments that are not being performed by one employee will fall to another who doesn’t have another option. Nevertheless, communication is key between employers, managers, and co-workers so that everyone is doing their best without overexerting themselves. The best way to implement quiet quitting in your job is to evaluate why you’re reaching this limit. A solution could be finding another job where you’re comfortable. If not, make sure that the company you work for has organizations or groups that look out for your rights. Most importantly, a manager’s engagement is important. As Gallup explains, “managers must learn how to have a conversation to help employees reduce disengagement and burnout.”
Your job does not define you and it is not your identity as a person. So, if you are in search of a different job and want to try quiet quitting in the meantime, make sure that you do what’s best for you. Equally, finding a job where you feel comfortable will improve your work experience, reducing the probability of overworking or feeling overwhelmed at work. No matter the type of work, be it on-site, remote or hybrid, being in a job where you feel engaged, motivated, and feel like you belong while delivering meaningful work will prevent you from searching for a way out. Ultimately, trends like quiet quitting open the space for conversations about workplace environments and the improvements that need to be incorporated to make sure every employee feels heard and respected.
Sources:
https://www.bbc.com/news/business-62638908
https://www.cnbc.com/2022/07/19/heres-how-labor-dynamism-affects-wage-growth-in-america.html
https://edition.cnn.com/2022/10/28/economy/us-pce-inflation-september/index.html
https://www.gallup.com/workplace/398306/quiet-quitting-real.aspx
https://metro.co.uk/2018/11/07/when-does-stress-become-burnout-8114015/