Quiet Quitting does not mean that employees quit their jobs, but that they are not as efficient or productive at work as they used to be! In recent years, the Quiet Quitting trend has become more obvious.
Taipei, Taiwan (Merxwire) – Have you heard of “Quiet Quitting”? The new term appeared in a short video on TikTok in July 2022, and one social media user said he had recently recognized the concept of Quiet Quitting. The concept is that employees only perform their due job duties and do not attempt to do more or do better. In other words, followers of Quiet Quitting believe that work is only part of life and that there are more meaningful things to do after getting off work.
According to Microsoft’s March 16, 2022, Work Trend Index Annual Report, more than 50% of the workforce is more likely to prioritize health & well-being than work than before the pandemic.
During the pandemic, some people lost their jobs, some changed their jobs, while others realized that life was too short and began to think about the meaning of life. Some people choose to take a break, some decide to live out their dreams, and some cherish the time with their families more, leading to the “Great Resignation.” What about people who are still at work? Although they didn’t quit, the trend of Quiet Quitting became more pronounced.
Features of Quiet Quitting:
1. Only perform essential job duties
2. No overtime
3. Not the positive attitude
4. Not socializing with colleagues
5. Higher absenteeism rates
6. Reduced efficiency
7. Part-time or sideline
8. Difficulty contacting after hours
9. Say “NO” more often at work
10. Let go of the idea of hard work
At least half of the U.S. workforce is in Quiet Quitting, and possibly more, according to a survey by global analytics and consulting firm Gallup. They also found that U.S. employee engagement took another step backward in the second quarter of 2022. While the percentage of engaged employees remained at 32%, the percentage of employees actively disengaging from engagement had increased to 18%.
Does the trend of Quiet Quitting mean people are getting lazy? From some directions, it is just a way for employees to pursue a “life-work balance.” For example, companies should have provided reasonable workloads to employees rather than requiring employees to work overtime for orders. Employees should not be obliged to answer calls from their bosses after they get off work.
In the past, most people would condemn someone who was not active at work, but now more people would rather be a non-hard worker. They want to avoid being affirmed and promoted by the company because the promotion will inevitably bring more responsibility and may also bring more working hours and pressure.
Some say that Quiet Quitting is just an excuse for employees to have “occupational burnout.” Some see Quiet Quitting as a pursuit of life-work balance, a rejection of labor exploitation. In any case, in response to the advancement of human technology, the labor demand will decrease daily, and it is practical to seek a better life-work balance. The enterprise and labor sides should understand each other and reach a consensus to create a safe and happy working environment jointly.