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



Quiet Quitting or Setting Boundaries? Decoding the Latest Work Trend

The Rise of “Quiet Quitting”: A New Trend or Age-Old Struggle?

“Quiet quitting” has exploded across social media and become a hot topic. It represents a supposed shift in employee attitudes toward work. But is it truly a new phenomenon, or are we just giving a catchy name to an old problem?

Beyond the Buzzword: Understanding the Context of “Quiet Quitting”

“Quiet quitting” describes employees doing the bare minimum at work and no more. They aren’t going above and beyond, chasing promotions at their well-being’s expense, or subscribing to the “hustle culture” mentality.

This trend emerges amidst these converging factors:

  • Burnout: Years of economic uncertainty and pandemic pressures have left many feeling overworked and undervalued.
  • The Great Resignation: Seeing colleagues leave for better opportunities has made many re-evaluate their priorities and work-life balance.
  • Shifting Power Dynamics: With talent shortages in many sectors, employees have more leverage to demand better treatment and set boundaries.
Illustration of a person feeling balanced and content, engaged in both work and personal life activities