The concept of “quiet quitting” speaks to a growing sentiment among employees, particularly millennials and Gen Z, who are pushing back against the “hustle culture” that has dominated recent decades. Factors like:

• Technological advancements blurring work-life boundaries
• Increased workload and pressure to be “always on”
• Stagnant wages and a desire for greater work-life balance

…have contributed to this shift in perspective. Workers are questioning the expectation to go above and beyond their job descriptions, especially when it comes at the expense of their personal lives.

Quiet Quitting vs. Setting Boundaries: A Critical Analysis

While often used interchangeably, there’s a crucial distinction between “quiet quitting” and “setting boundaries”:

• Quiet Quitting: This implies a passive form of disengagement where employees do the bare minimum, withhold enthusiasm, and mentally “check out” while remaining employed.
• Setting Boundaries: This involves proactively communicating clear limits between work and personal life, prioritizing well-being, and declining requests that exceed agreed-upon responsibilities.

One is a symptom of discontent and potential burnout, while the other is a healthy approach to sustainable work practices. The debate lies in whether “quiet quitting” is an inevitable precursor to setting boundaries or a separate phenomenon altogether.