The recent world pandemic affected every aspect of people’s lives. Companies had to scramble to find ways to stay in business. Employees had to adapt to remote work. Like all abrupt changes, it was not easy, and it caused many problems we did not know existed. However, for many workers, it opened new possibilities. Working from home can be exhausting because there is no clear division between work and home life. But many people managed to create a balance between the two and enjoy life more. Yet, not everyone is happy. There is a new phenomenon among dissatisfied employees called quiet quitting.
So, What Does Quiet Quitting Really Mean?
Like most things nowadays, the concept of quiet quitting went viral on TikTok, and everyone is talking about it. The social media user explains that quiet quitting is not about actually quitting. In fact, it is about doing the minimum to stay employed and rejecting the idea of going above and beyond at work. Not doing unpaid overtime, not staying late at work, clocking in and out right on time every day, are some of the signs that someone is quiet quitting.
According to a 2022 Gallup survey, 50% of the US workforce are quiet quitters. This is more prevalent among the under 35s and Gen Z.
Employee engagement also took a tumble that began in the second half of 2021. In the United States alone, 32% or workers are engaged, while 18% are actively disengaged.
The main consequence for companies is loss of productivity.
What Are the Reasons Behind This New Phenomenon?
There are many reasons for quiet quitting. The main ones seem to be to avoid burnout (or feeling burnt out already), inflexible work conditions, and overworking or not seeing its benefits. Mental and physical health are very important as well, as work-life balance takes precedence over everything else.
Quiet quitting seems to be also a symptom of bad management. Many workers feel underappreciated and not cared about. There is no clearly defined set of expectations and fewer opportunities to learn and develop within the organization. Many feel like there is a lack of purpose to their current job. Therefore, there is an increasing disconnect between employers and workforce.
Here Are Some Possible Solutions to Quiet Quitting
First, senior leadership needs to assess the situation, and, if necessary, reskill middle managers. In turn, managers need to have one meaningful weekly conversation with their staff to get to know them at a personal level. Coaching, focusing on their strengths, fostering team collaboration, showing how meaningful their contribution is, are some of the aspects to be considered.
Also, providing opportunities for learning and growth is very important, as they drive engagement and, ultimately, boost productivity.
A flexible workplace is crucial for setting healthy boundaries and a healthy work-life balance. At English Services, the hybrid work model has proved a success. Our employees can easily juggle work and family with the company’s support.
Let English Services help YOU to help your team be more engaged and productive at work with our double impact language courses and workshops. Click here to find out more about our services.