Quiet quitting is a new term for an old concept. It’s not actually quitting; it’s just doing the bare minimum at the job you have. This year TikTok helped the term quiet quitting go viral.  Watch character Veronica demonstrate as she comically acts out lack of acceptance for a daily goal of 500 calls, and her response back to her manager once handed additional work, refusing it with a rebuttal of ‘acting her wage’. 

The concept now coined as quiet-quitting has also been termed ‘coasting counterculture, slacker, or quitting in place’ where the desire to go above and beyond or take on work after-hours for no additional pay is not mindset. We have an increasingly confident workforce who feel they have the upper hand on employers because of the worker shortage crisis.

Many overextended employees have quietly decided to do the bare minimum or do their best in the time they have, leaving on time with more energy to tackle and enjoy other slices of life that are important to them.  There’s been a big shift from the hustle culture that makes work the main priority of life to one of balance and wellness.  Work-life balance is another term that’s been around for over six decades.

What’s the antidote to Quiet Quitting?

Currently, it’s recommended that employers consider more realistic workloads because employees are going to seek jobs where they will be happy in the long run.  Making time to get to know your people, what’s important to them, planning for their advancement, and highlighting efforts that will get them there will show them a way forward.

Quiet quitting is not a Gen Z term; it was coined by Gen X Bryan Creely this past March 2022, but the behaviour is common in all generations who are feeling overwhelmed, burned out, and unable to keep up with the demands of work.  Beyond ideas to maintain a healthy workforce, this tip tells us that this is not a new problem. It’s just a new term for a concept that’s been problematic for many years.

I hope you’ll consider learning more about motivating and retaining your people in our Managing Workplace Relationships and Conflict Management program.

Want to learn more about managing workplace relationships and conflict management?

Our online-live training program for managers and supervisors is running in November.

• Four interactive sessions led by Workplace Relationships Expert Penny Tremblay
• Current and relevant information, stories, role-plays and exercises will provide practice and lasting impact
• Group collaboration will provide broad insight for all attending

Don’t miss this one. Register today.

See you there in the virtual classroom,

P.S. Harvard Business Review just posted a great alternative for quiet quitting if you’re feeling a sense of overwhelm, Dial it Back