The phenomenon that is quiet quitting like most trends was first noticed and named in the United States. It has been observed that the youngest generation places clear boundaries between personal and professional life. But is that the definition of quiet quitting? What changes does it mean for the labor market and organizational culture? Read the post and learn more about this trend!
What is quiet quitting?
Quiet quitting means “silently leaving” initiated by Generation Z in the United States. It does not involve strictly quitting work, but the conviction that work is not the meaning of existence or the main value in life. Quiet quitting is about letting go of participating in the cult of work and seeking work-life balance.
This phenomenon means attending work at the appointed hours and performing tasks in accordance with the job description, without staying after hours, taking on additional responsibilities and refusing activities that are not included in the current contract. This is in order to prevent professional burnout and, moreover, to feel satisfaction from their work. Finding the golden mean will also allow for the development of interests and more time to spend with loved ones.
What are the benefits of quiet quitting for the employee?
Quiet quitting as an emerging approach to the duties performed is a modification of the principles that currently operate in the labor market, with a new outlook adapted to current realities. The idea is somewhat compatible with the work-life fit trend, which by definition is not a negative attitude towards work. On the contrary, it is a signpost to set healthy boundaries and complete tasks at your convenience. A metaphor for this phenomenon could be the model of a worker in a new guise – one who is fully aware and knows exactly what his job entails – “recovered workaholic.
Quiet quitting aims to restore job satisfaction and counteract professional burnout to raise awareness of the need to have a private life outside of work, which positively affects our careers.
Does quiet quitting put your employer at risk?
Employers fear quiet quilting, like most new labor movements. But every new trend stops being scary once you get to know it. “Silent passing” is not as terrible as we perceive it to be. This is the way to create a new organizational culture in companies and change the perception of employee needs. From an organizational and cost-of-living perspective – it will be more sensible and economical to understand the principles of quiet quitting and its adherents rather than risk creating a group of burned-out employees. Helping with this benefit, will be access to extended health care and consideration for longer absences due to health problems or poorer mental health.
However, the fact that employees only focus on specific tasks that are specified in the contract will not reduce the productivity of the company. This situation may communicate to the employer the need to find additional hands to work.
A sign of the new times in the recruitment
Newly emerging phenomena in the labor market are attributed to the youngest generation. But the overall increase in awareness of the wellbeing among employees from different generations, also has a role to play here. Quiet quitting has a chance to emerge from being a “trend” and become a new everyday occurrence. In a broader sense, it can have a positive impact on employee well-being, increased efficiency and a sense of being appreciated.
We should not demonize this phenomenon, but assimilate and use it in positive aspects. With increased awareness and proper organization of work, we have the opportunity to grow professionally without sacrificing quality of life and without being forced to give up passion or leisure.
