Quiet Quitting: What It Is & What To Do About It
An increasing number of workers are getting fed up with their current workplace.
According to a new Gallup Poll, over 50% of U.S. workers admit to “quiet quitting.” The poll indicates that the number of employees who are disengaged from their work has increased greatly since the pandemic.
Quiet quitting refers to employees who choose to stop going above and beyond in their job. It means you’re doing the bare minimum at work. You still perform the job duties required of you to stay employed, but nothing beyond that.
Here are some potential reasons why quiet quitting is on the rise:
The pandemic has caused people to reevaluate their career choices.
It’s a response to burnout and stress.
Employees are disengaged from their current jobs as they look for new opportunities.
Working from home provides less opportunities for connection between employees and management, causing employees to not feel valued or cared about by their leaders.
I’m not here to tell you if quiet quitting is a good thing or a bad thing.
It is my mission to empower professional women to take control of their careers and achieve their long-term goals. If quiet quitting is a way for you to disengage as you move on to the next chapter of your fantastic journey that will ultimately bring you success, joy, and fulfillment, then hey– it might just be part of your journey.
But, if quiet quitting is your way of responding to burnout or stress from a job you used to love– and you want to feel happy again– it might be time to pull yourself out of the burnout cycle and start showing up differently.
Signs of quiet quitting:
You arrive late or leave early from work (even if you WFH)
Less contribution to team projects
You’re less productive than you used to be
You feel unmotivated, unenthusiastic, or unfulfilled
You’re skipping meetings or events you would typical attend
Regardless, you shouldn’t stay stuck in a job you hate. Changing jobs might be the answer– but it might not! The grass isn’t always greener on the other side. Instead, you might need to create your own systems in life to re-prioritize your health (mental, physical, and emotional), so you don’t feel the need to disengage at work.
How businesses can help employees who are quiet quitting:
Create a culture of caring about your employees’ mental health. Encourage your employees to look after their mental and emotional well-being, set boundaries around work, and check in on people.
Make sure workloads are realistic so your employees aren’t drowning! Have realistic expectations, establish boundaries, don’t overload anyone to the point of burnout, and check in with employees to ensure their workload is appropriate.
Talk to your employees about their career paths and ultimate goals. Show them you care about their future success, not just as an employee, but as a person.
Create accountability for individual performance. Employees should clearly see how their performance contributes to the organization as a whole.
Engage with your employees often. Gather feedback (and use it to improve your organization), ask questions, have conversations, offer encouragement, and express appreciation frequently. This can be done formally or informally.
In short, create a better employee experience. Connect with your people– let them know you care about them both professionally and personally.
What you can do if you think you’re quiet quitting:
Take time to step back and reevaluate your purposes and passions in life, and how your career aligns with that purpose.
Have an honest conversation with your manager about your feelings of disengagement at work and discuss potential solutions.
If you’re able to, take some time off of work. Taking time away can help you put your career in perspective and come back with a fresh point of view.
Hire a Career Coach. Career Coaching can help you determine the next step in your career (whether you decide to stay or leave!), discover your purpose and passions, help you decide if you want to switch industries, apply for new jobs with confidence, or advocate for yourself to get a promotion or a raise.
Remember, your career is a journey, not a destination. This could be an opportunity to step back and reevaluate your career path.
