In a nutshell, “quiet quitting” refers to the idea of employees doing the bare minimum at work, fulfilling their job requirements but not going above and beyond. It’s about disengaging from the hustle culture and rejecting the notion that work should be the central focus of one’s life.

The term gained traction on social media platforms, particularly TikTok, where users shared their experiences of feeling burnt out and disillusioned with the traditional work model. Proponents of “quiet quitting” argue that it’s a way to reclaim their time and prioritize their well-being without completely abandoning their jobs.

Quiet Quitting vs. Setting Boundaries: A Critical Analysis

While the term “quiet quitting” may be new, the underlying sentiment is not. Employees have long grappled with burnout, lack of work-life balance, and feeling undervalued. The pandemic, with its blurring of work-life boundaries, only exacerbated these issues.

Here’s where the debate gets interesting. Critics argue that “quiet quitting” is simply a rebranding of setting boundaries, something that should be encouraged, not demonized. They argue that:

• Setting boundaries is healthy: It’s about protecting your time, energy, and mental health.
• Boundaries promote work-life balance: When employees have clear boundaries, they can be more present and productive during work hours.
• It’s about prioritizing: Employees may choose to focus on areas of their job they find fulfilling while fulfilling their core responsibilities.