What Is 'Quiet Quitting'? Its Actual Meaning Is Not What You'd Think!
Find out why Gen Z is all about it at the workplace and on TikTok.
Lately, it seems like the term "quiet quitting" is everywhere. Whether you're scrolling through news or browsing social media, everyone is talking about this trend. Not only that, it's all over the workplace as well. So, let's get to the bottom of it—what is quiet quitting?
While most people would assume this new term refers to leaving a role in a company without giving any notice, like suddenly ghosting an employer, or maybe telling your boss you're quitting, but not informing anyone else, these assumptions couldn't be further from the truth.
Fortunately, we have all the details on the meaning of quiet quitting, why employees are embracing this trend and what employers can do to help.
Quiet Quitting Meaning
When someone is quiet quitting, they are actually not leaving their job. Instead, they are choosing to stay in their role, but saying goodbye to the unnecessary stress that has been added to their lives from consistently going above and beyond by taking on responsibilities that do not fall under their job description.
While employees of all ages can participate in quiet quitting, the group at the helm of this trending workplace development is Gen Z (individuals born from 1996-2012).
Related: 50 Gen Z Slang Words, Lingo, Phrases and What They Mean
Examples of Quiet Quitting Behavior
Are business hours 9-5? That means quiet quitting employees will be there the entirety of their scheduled time, but not a minute before or a minute after. Have they been given a workload that is simply not feasible for one person in one day? They'll do what they can, but they won't continue working once they leave the office. Have they been asked to take over someone else's responsibilities in addition to their own? If they are not compensated for the extra tasks, they will not agree to take them on.
Related: Signs of Work Burnout
In the video below from TikTok user @saraisthreads, she shows "Veronica" displaying quiet quitting behavior right after she sits down with her Starbucks and opens her laptop at 9 a.m. saying, "Okay, let's see—goal for today?...*laughter* 500 calls?! *more laughter* We're doing 50. We're doing 50."
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Also in the video from @saraisthreads is this exchange she has between manager "Susan" and quiet-quitter "Veronica."
"Hey Veronica, you have 'til end of day to finish all this extra work."
"Respectfully, Susan, it's 2022—we're acting our wage, so don't give me extra work, mmkay? Thank you! Thank you."
Related: 25 Mindfulness Exercises
What people get wrong about quiet quitting
While some employers and fellow employees may disagree with the principles of quiet quitting, believing that it shows laziness and/or apathy for a job, that's not exactly fair.
Yes, there are some workers who just want to collect a paycheck without actually doing anything, but quiet quitters don't mind working hard—they just don't see a benefit in sacrificing their time outside of work to do anything extra "off-the-clock" or taking on more in the workday that doesn't align with their pay rate or job description.
In TikTok user @jobdoctortessa's video below, for example, she explains why Gen Z isn't interested in the corporate rat race and has the mindset, "I'll work, but I'm not going to give you one bit more than I have to."
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Why exactly do employees see quiet quitting as their answer?
According to Gallup's "State of the Global Workplace: 2022 Report," employee stress is at an all-time high. "The pulse of the global workplace is driven by wellbeing and engagement, and that pulse is dangerously low," their summary video explains. From the results of their report, most employees do not find their work meaningful or feel hopeful about the future.
Therefore, employees who are quiet quitting are simply taking their work-life balance into their own hands, instead of expecting their companies to only give them tasks that meet their job description (and to be completed only during the workday).
Related: What is Millennial Burnout?
So, quiet quitting is not about being lazy or not having goals, but prioritizing mental health and handling work responsibilities during designated workday hours (instead of constantly hustling in the early mornings, late evenings and weekends as well). Just as TikTok user @jareenimam explains, "I think 'quiet quitting' just means having a healthy work boundary."
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How can employers help combat quiet quitting in the workplace?
Employee wellbeing needs to be prioritized. "This starts with organizations not just caring about their employees as workers, but as people—people with complex stories, families and friends to care for—all with goals of their own," Gallup's video summary explains.
After all, if employees aren't expected to do more than they're being paid to do, and if they are being truly recognized and thanked for their work (and compensated accordingly), they won't feel like work is sucking the life out of them. Instead, they'll likely feel more motivated.
Related: How to Take a Mental Health Day Off
Gallup shares, "Organizations who take responsibility for the wellbeing of their employees are more likely to attract top talent, retain workers, see high productivity and performance, and most importantly, improve the lives of the individuals, families and communities they serve."
Instead of employees feeling like they have to hustle harder than their coworkers in order to move up in the company and gain recognition, Gen Z trends, like quiet quitting, are helping the workforce reevaluate what it means to have boundaries and a work-life balance, and to gravitate toward jobs that share similar values.
So, if you're worried that your employees aren't giving their all, it would absolutely be worth checking in about their overall stress levels and seeing what you can do to ensure they feel valued.
Next up, 50 mindfulness quotes to inspire you.
