If you’ve been surfing the internet lately, you might’ve heard the newest corporate term circling around: “quiet quitting.” Used to describe an employee setting boundaries at work and performing the bare minimum, the phrase and concept has recently gone viral. Essentially, some professionals are no longer willing to go above and beyond the duties of their job description, especially if they are not being compensated for the extra work. They are rather putting their personal lives and mental well-being first.
What is quiet quitting?
CBS News describes the phenomenon. They say, “To some extent, quiet quitting may represent an evolution of the Great Resignation, with Americans pushing back against blithe employer expectations that they’ll obediently put in more hours each week without additional compensation. Whether the trend grows from a spark into a roaring fire that broadly reshapes cultural attitudes toward work and labor practices may depend on whether workers maintain the upper hand with employers.”
The COVID-19 pandemic altered the corporate world in more ways than one, but it heavily shifted the idea of hustle culture. Particularly in the younger generations, many workers are noticing the toxicity of burning yourself out for a career. In terms of quiet quitting, it’s not about being lazy and ignoring your responsibilities. The focus remains on getting your work done, clocking out at appropriate hours, and relieving stress by avoiding the push of additional, uncompensated labor.
How can a professional handle quiet quitting?
From an employee’s point of view, getting to this point can be scary and challenging. However, if you are feeling overwhelmed or overworked in your position, first try speaking with your manager and expressing your concerns. Practice strong communication and be sure to convey exactly what aspect of your day-to-day is bothering you. This could range from specific tasks, your paycheck, or time management issues. If your ideas don’t align with your manager, it may be time for an even bigger conversation.
As an employer, it’s crucial to check in with your employees frequently to determine their feelings of support. Managers should hold quarterly, or even monthly, meetings with their team members to discuss job performance, goals, and expectations. In addition, opening the discussion for any concerns is key, as this will provide insight to any personal or professional worries your employees may have. CBS News elaborates, “Talks could expand beyond work to include some of their personal interests and priorities because that can often affect their work life. “If you don’t understand the internal state of your employees, things are going to happen that you’re going to be blindsided by.”
While the phrase “quiet quitting” may be new, the practice is not. Hustle culture has been burning out professionals for years. Maintaining mental health and a quality personal life is taking precedent to climbing the corporate ladder. In the wake of the Great Resignation, employees and managers should be working together to create an environment that is not only productive, but healthy, respectful, and fair-minded as well.
Contact Green Key
This is where Green Key can step in. If your company is looking for additional hiring needs, don’t hesitate to contact us today! If you’re a candidate seeking a career change, our recruiters are here to help you find the right job setting that works best for your financial and work-life balance needs. Browse our open jobs and connect with us on LinkedIn!
