Quiet Quitting or Setting Boundaries? What the Latest Workplace Trend Really Means




Quiet Quitting or Setting Boundaries? What the Latest Workplace Trend Really Means

The Rise of “Quiet Quitting

It’s the phrase on everyone’s lips, sparking debates from office breakrooms to LinkedIn feeds: “quiet quitting.” But what does it actually mean? Is it a new wave of workplace apathy, a sign of a disengaged generation, or simply a catchy term for something many of us have always done – setting boundaries?

Understanding the Context: Why Now?

The concept of “quiet quitting” went viral in 2022, capturing the zeitgeist of a workforce grappling with the aftermath of a global pandemic. Burnout was rampant, work-life balance felt elusive, and many employees questioned their relationship with their jobs.

Suddenly, videos and articles proliferated, depicting “quiet quitting” as a form of silent protest where employees do the bare minimum, refusing to go above and beyond their job descriptions. It resonated with individuals feeling overworked and undervalued, offering a seemingly appealing alternative to the drama of a full-blown resignation.

Two people having a conversation in an office setting, one of them is smiling and nodding