At its core, “quiet quitting” refers to the act of doing the bare minimum at work—no more, no less. It’s about fulfilling your job description without going above and beyond, essentially setting a clear boundary between your professional and personal life.

However, the ambiguity of the term has led to some confusion. Critics argue that “quiet quitting” is just a glorified term for disengagement or even laziness. They see it as a symptom of a larger societal shift where younger generations are perceived as entitled and lacking work ethic.

Proponents, on the other hand, view it as a necessary act of self-preservation in a work culture that often glorifies overwork and presenteeism. They argue that setting boundaries and prioritizing personal well-being shouldn’t be misconstrued as “quitting.”

Setting Boundaries vs. Checking Out: Where Do We Draw the Line?

The debate ultimately hinges on the fine line between setting healthy boundaries and simply checking out.

Here’s a breakdown:

• Quiet Quitting: Disengagement, apathy, doing the bare minimum without regard for quality or deadlines.
• Setting Boundaries: Clearly defining work hours, prioritizing personal time, declining tasks outside of your job description, while still maintaining professionalism and quality of work.

The former is detrimental to both the individual and the organization, while the latter is crucial for long-term well-being and sustainable productivity.