The Rise of Quiet Quitting: Is It a New Trend or an Old Struggle?
The term “quiet quitting” has exploded across social media and infiltrated water cooler conversations, sparking a heated debate about work-life balance, employee expectations, and the very nature of a job. But is it truly a new phenomenon, or are we simply slapping a trendy label on the age-old struggle for boundaries in an increasingly demanding work environment?
Understanding the Context of Quiet Quitting
To fully grasp the quiet quitting phenomenon, we need to acknowledge the context in which it has emerged. Years of wage stagnation, rising living costs, and a global pandemic have left many workers feeling burnt out, undervalued, and disillusioned. In this environment, it’s no surprise that some are pushing back against the expectation of going “above and beyond” and opting instead to do the bare minimum required of their job description.
Adding fuel to the fire is the rise of hustle culture, fueled by social media’s glorification of the “always-on” entrepreneur. This constant pressure to do more, achieve more, and be more can leave individuals feeling like they’re never enough, even when they’re putting in a solid day’s work.
