Quiet Quitting or Setting Boundaries? What’s Really Happening in the Workplace
The Rise of “Quiet Quitting”
The term “quiet quitting” has exploded across social media and infiltrated every corner of workplace discourse. It seems everyone has an opinion on this phenomenon, with some applauding its empowering message and others decrying it as a threat to productivity and work ethic. But what exactly is “quiet quitting,” and is it truly a new trend?
Defining the Gray Area: Disengagement vs. Boundaries
At its core, “quiet quitting” describes employees who are doing the bare minimum at work. They’re fulfilling their job descriptions but aren’t going above and beyond, working late, or taking on extra responsibilities. While some see this as a form of passive resistance or disengagement, others argue it’s simply a matter of setting healthy boundaries between work and personal life.
This is where the conversation gets nuanced. The line between “quiet quitting” and setting boundaries can be blurry. Is an employee who leaves work promptly at 5 pm disengaged or simply prioritizing their personal time? Is refusing to answer work emails after hours a sign of laziness or a healthy boundary? The answer, often, lies in the intention and context.
