‘Quiet Quitting’ has become an online trend which has sparked conversation across various platforms. Coined by TikTok Content Creator, Zaiad Khan, quiet quitting can be defined as the rejection of hustle culture and the reclaiming of work life balance. It is the completion of your work duties without going above and beyond the expected requirement of the role. So, why is quiet quitting happening?

1. Burnout

One reason that quiet quitting may be occurring is the idea of burnout. Burnout is a state of exhaustion due to work-related stresses, and has been significantly more prevalent in recent years. Some signs of burnout can include: feeling drained and tired, feeling overwhelmed and trapped, self-doubt, and procrastinating when trying to complete tasks to name a few. Burnout can be a key component of quiet quitting as individuals are more likely to retract from their daily duties of the job, and quietly retract from over achieving in their role.

2. A Shift In Mindset

Due to the pandemic, the expectations of the workplace have changed, but so have employees’ mindset. After a change in work place practices and an increase in hybrid working, employee’s mindset has also shifted, favouring a better work-life balance. This can lead to quiet quitting as people move away from the hustle of the workplace and rebalance their priorities to their home life.

3. Loss of Passion

For some employees, quiet quitting may occur due to feeling lost and a lack of passion within their role. Whether they’re managing a large task for a continued period of time, or failing to see a route of progression within the business, employees may disengage from their duties and reject hustle culture if they feel their task list no longer sparks the drive and determination they once had in their role. Whilst this could only cause temporary quiet quitting, it could also be a leading factor for individuals beginning the search for a new job.

4. Lack of Wage Increase

Changes in the economic climate could also be responsible for quiet quitting. As inflation and cost of living rises, a large number of the workforce are not seeing an equal increase in their wages. Some employees may feel their output at work versus the income they are receiving is no longer proportionate, leading to a ‘minimal work for minimal pay’ mindset. This negative mindset could in turn lead to an adoption of quiet quitting habits.

5. The Mental Health Pandemic

Another side effect of the pandemic is the fact that mental health suffering has greatly increased, with the World Health Organisation reporting that the global prevalence of anxiety and depression has increased by 25%. Quiet quitting could be an action taken by an employee struggling with their mental health as a coping mechanism to reduce the amount of bad mental health days they experience and to help them cope during a difficult period. For many individuals, speaking out about their mental health, particularly at work, could be a challenging thought, therefore dealing with it privately, and potentially quiet quitting from role, maybe the most appropriate action they feel they can take.

If you recognise any of these signs in yourself then it may be time to talk to your manager about your role and how you’re feeling. Or, if you feel like now might be the right time for a new challenge, get in touch with our consultants or search the jobs on our website.