Introduction: The Rise of “Quiet Quitting“
The term “quiet quitting” has exploded across social media and infiltrated water cooler conversations, becoming the latest buzzword to capture the zeitgeist of the modern workplace. But is it just a fleeting trend, or does it point to a deeper shift in employee expectations and the employer-employee contract?
Understanding “Quiet Quitting“: Context and Origins
Quiet quitting, in its essence, refers to the act of doing the bare minimum at work. Employees engaging in this trend are not outright quitting their jobs but rather mentally checking out. They fulfill their job descriptions without going above and beyond, effectively setting boundaries between their professional and personal lives.
This phenomenon emerged in the wake of the Great Resignation, a period marked by unprecedented numbers of employees leaving their jobs, seeking better work-life balance, higher pay, and improved company culture. Quiet quitting can be seen as a less drastic response to similar workplace dissatisfactions.
