The Rise of Quiet Quitting: Disengagement or Self-Preservation?
The modern workplace is abuzz with a new term: “quiet quitting.” But far from involving an actual resignation letter, this trend speaks to a growing sentiment among employees – a decision to mentally check out and do the bare minimum required of them. While some applaud this as a form of self-preservation in demanding work environments, others criticize it as a recipe for career stagnation and a detriment to team morale. So, is “quiet quitting” simply setting healthy boundaries or a slippery slope toward disengagement?
From Hustle Culture to the Great Resignation: Contextualizing Quiet Quitting
To understand “quiet quitting,” we need to look at the broader context of work culture. For years, “hustle culture” reigned supreme, glorifying long hours and going above and beyond as the only path to success. This mentality, however, often led to burnout, dissatisfaction, and a lack of work-life balance. Enter the Great Resignation, a period of mass employee turnover fueled by these very frustrations. “Quiet quitting” can be seen as a byproduct of this era – a less drastic response where individuals remain employed but mentally disengage to protect their well-being.
