The Rise of “Quiet Quitting”: A New Term or an Old Struggle?
“Quiet quitting” has exploded across social media and water cooler conversations, becoming the latest buzzword to capture the zeitgeist of the modern workplace. But is this phenomenon truly new, or are we simply putting a trendy label on the age-old struggle of work-life balance and employee dissatisfaction?
Decoding the Debate: What Does “Quiet Quitting” Really Mean?
The heart of the debate lies in the very definition of “quiet quitting.” For some, it signifies a silent protest against hustle culture, where employees refuse to go above and beyond the strict requirements of their job descriptions. They’re not explicitly quitting their jobs but mentally checking out and prioritizing their personal lives.
However, critics argue that this is simply a rebranding of a familiar concept: setting boundaries. They argue that declining to answer emails after work hours or refusing to take on extra projects without additional compensation are healthy practices, not a form of “quitting.”