Have you heard of quietly quitting, the trending social media campaign that’s encouraging employees to stand up to hustle culture and toxic work cultures?

The quietly quitting campaign, which began on TikTok, is based on the premise that workers shouldn’t be expected to be constantly available for work, both mentally and physically.

And it’s gaining traction – fast.

So, what is quietly quitting?

You may have heard it described as laziness or bowing out of essential job duties.

Or “diminished motivation and low engagement” as Joe Grasso, a senior director of workforce transformation, was quoted in the Washington Post as saying.

But, wait, isn’t that exactly what you would expect a toxic boss to say when an employee decides to set healthy boundaries and limit their work interactions to their actual job hours?

The term “quietly quitting” is a trending term to describe those who remain employed but who refuse to give in to the demands of toxic workplace cultures.

This rising up of employees is a refusal to allow toxic bosses to control their lives. They are setting realistic boundaries and refusing to be available 24/7. They are no longer asking for work-life balance, but are simply creating a healthy, sane workplace culture on their own, if need be.

This is a major shift, and it’s one that toxic bosses will have to reckon with. So watch out – the quietly quitting revolution is coming, and it’s going to change the workplace for good!

What is Quietly Quitting?

“Quietly quitting” means that an employee stays employed, but sets boundaries around work hours and taking work home. Quietly quitting is the workers’ response to workplaces that refuse to address toxicity in its culture and its ranks.

This new type of “quitting” occurs when people retain their jobs but disconnect themselves mentally from the stressors of work– such as only working the necessary hours and not allowing their occupation to consume their lives. The “quitters” still fulfill their job responsibilities and produce quality work, but they are also setting boundaries and taking back their individual power over their lives.

Is Quietly Quitting a Bad Thing?

Or is it a natural response to overreaching workplaces that is far overdue?

Too much of our cultural identity has been grounded in our jobs, and the pandemic has helped people to see that sometimes unhealthy belief from a different perspective.

Our worth is not solely dictated by our job. We are more than what we do for work.

We are complex human beings with interests, families, and other responsibilities that should not be ignored in the name of “hustle culture.”

The problem is that our workplaces often demand otherwise. In fact, many employers violate the employer-employee agreement by expecting employees to be available 24/7.

This way of working is not only unrealistic, but it’s also unhealthy. Employees who feel they can’t set boundaries around their work are more likely to experience anxiety, depression, and burnout.

So, what’s the solution? Well, quietly quitting might just be the answer we’ve been looking for.

Benefits of Quietly Quitting

There are many benefits to quietly quitting, both for employees and businesses alike.

For employees, quietly quitting allows them to take back control of their lives. It gives them the freedom to set boundaries around their work and to focus on other aspects of their life that are important to them.

Quietly quitting also allows employees to keep their job while still sending a message to their employer that they are not happy with the current state of the workplace.

This can be a powerful way to create change from within an organization.

And, finally, quietly quitting can help employees to avoid burnout. When employees feel like they can’t set boundaries around their work, they are more likely to experience anxiety, depression, and burnout.

But quietly quitting is not just good for employees – it’s also good for businesses.

Businesses that allow their employees to quietly quit are sending a message that they are open to change. This can help to create a more positive workplace culture.

Additionally, businesses that allow their employees to quietly quit are more likely to retain their best talent. Employees who feel they can’t set boundaries around their work are more likely to leave an organization altogether.

So, quietly quitting is a win-win for both employees and businesses. It’s time for employers to start creating healthy, sane workplace cultures that allow their employees to quietly quit.

Or, even better, employers can start setting healthy boundaries around their work expectations in the first place! Either way, it’s time for a change.

Risks Associated with Quietly Quitting

While there are many benefits to quietly quitting, there are also some risks associated with this new way of working.

The biggest risk is that employers will see quietly quitting as a form of insubordination. This could lead to employees being disciplined or even fired.

Additionally, quietly quitting could also lead to employers feeling like they can’t trust their employees to do their job properly.

However, these risks can be mitigated by creating clear expectations around work hours and work-life balance. Employees should know that they are allowed to set boundaries around their work and that their employer trusts them to do their job well.

Additionally, employers should create a healthy workplace culture that supports employees who quietly quit. This can be done by taking an empathetic approach to leading and offering flexible work hours, encouraging employees to take time off when they need it, and providing resources to help employees manage their work-life balance.

By creating clear expectations and a healthy workplace culture, employers can mitigate the risks associated with quietly quitting.

Quietly quitting is a powerful way for employees to take back control of their lives and to create change from within their organization. It’s time for employers to start creating healthy, sane workplace cultures that allow their employees to quietly quit.

What do you think about this new trend?

We’d love to hear your thoughts! Connect with us on LinkedIn or Facebook and tell us your stand on quietly quitting!

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