The Rise of “Quiet Quitting”
“Quiet quitting” has become the buzzword of the year, dominating headlines and sparking countless debates about work-life balance. But what exactly does it mean? Is it a revolutionary act of self-preservation or a recipe for career stagnation? As with most trends, the answer is nuanced and requires a closer look at the evolving relationship between employees and their jobs.
Decoding the Buzzword: What is Quiet Quitting?
Despite its name, quiet quitting isn’t about actually quitting your job. Instead, it’s about setting boundaries and mentally checking out from the hustle culture mentality. It’s about doing the bare minimum required of your job description and refusing to go above and beyond. Think: skipping those optional after-work events, not checking emails outside of work hours, and prioritizing personal time over extra projects.
This phenomenon emerged from the collective burnout experienced during the pandemic, where the lines between work and personal life became increasingly blurred. Employees, already feeling overworked and undervalued, began to question the expectation of going the extra mile, especially when it came at the expense of their well-being.
