Quiet Quitting or Setting Boundaries? Navigating the Changing Workplace Landscape
The Rise of “Quiet Quitting“
The workplace lexicon is constantly evolving, and the latest buzzword to capture the zeitgeist is “quiet quitting.” This seemingly paradoxical term has sparked countless debates and think pieces, leaving many to wonder: Is it a sign of a disengaged workforce or a healthy recalibration of boundaries?
Contextualizing the Quiet Quitting Trend
The concept of quiet quitting emerged in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, which triggered a widespread reevaluation of work-life balance. Burnout rates soared as the lines between personal and professional lives blurred. Employees, feeling increasingly overworked and underappreciated, began to push back against the expectation of going “above and beyond.”
Simultaneously, the rise of remote work and digital communication tools contributed to a sense of always being “on.” Employees found themselves tethered to their devices, responding to emails and messages at all hours. This constant connectivity further fueled the desire to establish clearer boundaries.
