With almost 7 million views on TikTok and counting, the โQuiet Quittingโ trend has taken social media by storm in recent weeks. Young employees, still dealing with the ongoing effects of the pandemic, are focusing on prioritising their work/life balance over impressing their employers.
Quiet Quitting doesnโt refer to an employee leaving a role, but rather quitting the idea of going above and beyond in a job, and rethinking the general approach to a career and the mentality that your life needs to revolve around work.ย
But is this new trend at risk of potentially putting workersโ employment, or even their financial and emotional wellbeing at risk in the current economy?
Article by Brean Horne, personal finance expert at NerdWallet
NerdWallet highlights some of the key points for those tempted by the notion of Quiet Quitting. Hereโs what you should take into account, as well as some behaviours to avoid:ย
Prepare for a reaction from managers and seniorsย
Any dramatic shifts in your ways of working is likely to attract attention from your manager. So be prepared to explain why your performance has changed, if those conversations arise.ย
Depending on your role, your manager may decide to reevaluate your responsibilities. Especially if youโre trying to achieve a more sustainable work, life balance.ย
Acknowledge that Quiet Quitting could lead to a lack of progression or pay risesย ย
While the shift towards โQuiet Quittingโ might make the most sense in terms of your own wellbeing and happiness, there are likely to be others within your workplace who see your decision to step back from certain duties as an opportunity to further their own careers.ย
Do not be surprised if some of your colleagues see this as an opportunity to pick up duties that you decided to leave behind, and use that opportunity to get ahead when a new promotion is advertised, or when itโs time for a payrise which you might not get.ย
Consider if you want to continue in your role
Before committing to the notion of โQuiet Quittingโ, itโs important to really evaluate the reasons youโre doing so. Ask yourself if youโd be making the same changes in any other job role, or whether it might be down to the fact that you are simply no longer happy, motivated or fulfilled in your current role or organisation.ย
Do you feel undervalued by those in your organisation, do you feel underpaid for the job and tasks you are expected to deliver? Or, are you in fact feeling that youโve outgrown your current role, and that any efforts to achieve your next progression steps are being ignored or taken for granted?ย
Avoid confusing โQuiet Quittingโ with laziness
As with any trend that gains momentum via social media platforms, there are many opinions online when it comes to what โQuiet Quittingโ means. Itโs therefore very important to be aware of the context ahead of potentially putting your job and financial security at risk, especially in the midst of a looming recession, rising inflation, and the cost of living crisis.ย
You will need to be sure of what exactly is expected of you within the role you are currently employed to do, and ensure that these are all being carried out. Itโs also wise to consider if you are still in any probationary period, or if youโve been employed by your current employer for less than two years, as this could make it much easier for a company to โlet you goโ if the business has to restructure and streamline the number of employees.
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Donโt ignore the signs of burnout
Finally, and arguably most importantly, avoid using Quiet Quitting as a reason to ignore or mask signs of burnout.ย
Itโs really important to get the help you need to resolve the root cause of burn out. While the concept of Quiet Quitting may offer some relief, it’s unlikely to help you manage your wellbeing in the long term. So don’t suffer in silence. Seek advice from your GP or a registered mental health professional to help identify what may be causing your burn out. If work happens to be a factor itโs worth speaking to your line manager or HR representative to share your concerns and find the best next steps to help you find sustainable balance.
These 5 top tips for employee retention might also be of interest to you.
