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





The Rise of “Quiet Quitting

The term “quiet quitting” has exploded across social media and infiltrated water cooler conversations (or perhaps the virtual equivalent). But what does it actually mean? Is it a sign of widespread employee dissatisfaction, a simple misunderstanding of work-life balance, or something else entirely?

Understanding the Context of Quiet Quitting

The rise of “quiet quitting” coincides with several significant workplace shifts:

  • The Great Resignation: Millions of employees voluntarily left their jobs, seeking better pay, benefits, and work environments. This mass exodus empowered those who stayed to re-evaluate their own priorities.
  • Burnout Culture: The “always-on” mentality, fueled by technology and increased workloads, has left many feeling overworked and undervalued.
  • Shifting Values: Younger generations, in particular, are placing a higher value on personal well-being and seeking a better work-life integration.
A Venn Diagram with two overlapping circles labeled