The Rise of “Quiet Quitting”: Disengagement or Self-Preservation?
The workplace is abuzz with a new term: “quiet quitting.” This seemingly paradoxical phrase has sparked countless debates about employee engagement, work-life balance, and the very nature of a job in today’s world. But is “quiet quitting” truly a mass exodus of enthusiasm, or is it simply a long-overdue conversation about setting healthy boundaries?
Unpacking the Buzzword: From Hustle Culture to Sustainable Work
For years, “hustle culture” reigned supreme. Employees were expected to go above and beyond, blurring the lines between personal time and work responsibilities. This often led to burnout, resentment, and a decline in overall well-being. Enter “quiet quitting,” a term that encapsulates the growing sentiment of employees choosing to do exactly what their job description entails – no more, no less.
The pandemic further fueled this shift. With remote work blurring boundaries and workloads increasing for many, employees began to re-evaluate their priorities. The desire for a more sustainable work-life balance, one that prioritizes mental health and personal time, took center stage.
