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





The Rise of “Quiet Quitting“: A Misunderstood Phenomenon?

The term “quiet quitting” has taken the internet by storm, sparking countless debates and think pieces. But is it truly a new phenomenon, or are we simply putting a trendy label on an age-old struggle: setting boundaries between our professional and personal lives?

Burnout and the Great Resignation: Understanding the Context

To grasp the significance of “quiet quitting,” we need to consider the context in which it emerged. The COVID-19 pandemic triggered a widespread reevaluation of priorities, with many individuals questioning the role of work in their lives. Burnout rates soared, fueled by increased workloads, blurred work-life boundaries, and a pervasive “hustle culture” that glorifies overwork.

This collective introspection coincided with the “Great Resignation,” a period marked by record numbers of employees voluntarily leaving their jobs. Against this backdrop, “quiet quitting” emerged as a form of silent protest, a way for employees to reclaim their time and mental energy without completely abandoning ship.

A Venn diagram showing the overlap and differences between