What is Quiet Quitting and Why Does it Matter?

As coaches who have worked in various corporate settings, we’ve seen a lot of different types of quitting. We’ve been getting asked by our clients over the last few months, “what is quiet quitting?” While some people hand in their two weeks’ notice and leave on good terms, and others just stop showing up and never come back, yet others are simply doing the bare minimum. That’s quiet quitting.

It’s always been around, but it’s something that more people are doing, after the shock of the pandemic era. In this article, we’ll dive deeper into the modern work environment. Let’s get started. 

What is Quiet Quitting?

Quiet quitting is when someone doesn’t necessarily leave their job but starts to disengage from it. This can look like doing the bare minimum to get by, setting clear boundaries so that they’re not working longer hours, and generally just not putting their all into their job.

Why Do Employees Quiet Quit?

Why are people just giving the bare minimum? There are several reasons. The most common reason is burnout. With the pandemic flipping work culture upside down, more people have had time to think about their careers and what they really want out of life. They’re seeking more work-life balance and are no longer willing to put everything into their careers.

Other reasons for quiet quitting include poor pay, unmanageable workloads, and lack of growth opportunities or the perception of a lack of opportunities because you don’t have a system in place to communicate the opportunities effectively. When an employee is dissatisfied in their position, it may be easier to see the warning signals of a quiet quitting than it would be for someone just seeking a more flexible schedule.

So why does it matter?

This phenomenon is a sign that something is wrong with the way we’re doing work in today’s society. We’re working longer hours than ever before and are expected to be available 24/7. This is unsustainable and is leading to a burnout epidemic.

If we want to fix the problem of burnout, we need to start by rethinking the way we work. We need to set boundaries and respect those boundaries. Apart from that, we also need to prioritize mental health and create an environment where people can enjoy their work and have a life outside of work.

Conclusion

As a manager and business owner, you need to be aware of the signs of quiet quitting and take steps to address the underlying issues. You need to create a work environment that is sustainable and that allows your employees to have a life outside of work.

If you’re concerned about quiet quitting in your business, AMB Performance Group can help. We offer a free business audit that will help you identify the signs of quiet quitting and take steps to address the underlying issues. Get your free business audit today!