Quiet Quitting or Setting Boundaries? Unpacking the Latest Workplace Trend

Introduction

The phrase “quiet quitting” has exploded across social media and infiltrated water cooler conversations, becoming a hot-button topic in the ever-evolving landscape of work. But what exactly does it mean? Is it a mass exodus of disengaged employees, a sly form of protest, or simply a way to reclaim personal time in our always-on culture? This post aims to unpack the phenomenon of “quiet quitting,” examining its potential causes and consequences while exploring whether it’s just a new term for an age-old concept: setting boundaries.

The Rise of “Quiet Quitting”: Background and Context

While the term itself might be relatively new, the sentiment behind “quiet quitting” certainly isn’t. Coined in 2022, it gained traction as the pandemic forced many to re-evaluate their relationship with work. Burnout, stress, and the desire for a better work-life balance became widespread, leading individuals to question the expectation of consistently going above and beyond.

“Quiet quitting,” in its essence, describes the act of doing the bare minimum at work— fulfilling your job description without subscribing to the hustle culture of overworking and constantly striving for more. This could manifest as refusing to answer emails outside work hours, declining projects beyond your assigned tasks, or generally disengaging from the “extra mile” mentality often expected in many workplaces.

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