First came the Great Resignation, and now the second trend courtesy of the pandemic, a wave of Quiet Quitting. People are rethinking their work’s role in their lives, and the significant importance of mental health and well-being is at the forefront. Rightly so, of course; however, one of the impacts felt is the Quiet Quitting phenomenon.
Quiet Quitting is the idea that going above and beyond in a job is no longer required or is not something an employee is prepared to do. It rejects the notion that workers need to do more than what is expected of them. Limiting tasks to strictly those in the position description is one way this plays out.
It’s essential to recognise that Quiet Quitting isn’t just laziness; rather, it’s the response to years of pandemic fuelled uncertainty, minimal wage increases and the expectation to do more with less.
There can be various reasons why employees are not engaged in their workplace. Employees sit in three categories: engaged, not engaged and actively disengaged. According to a Gallup study, those who are Quietly Quitting are seated in the not-engaged group. Again, this is not due to laziness but rather burnout, tiredness, lack of job satisfaction, unhappiness in the workplace, and the desire for a greater work-life balance.
While Quiet Quitting is the new buzzword, what we’re really talking about here is healthy boundaries. If not checking your emails and messages after hours is your version of Quiet Quitting, what you’re actually doing is setting clear boundaries between your working world and home life to ensure you take the time needed to recharge.
As has been the case for many who jumped on board the Great Resignation train, a recent Gallup study has suggested that 1 in 4 of those who resigned during the Great Resignation are no longer happy in their new role. The saying rings true that the grass isn’t always greener.
Another study also indicates that over 50 per cent of Americans have quietly quit their jobs and are less psychologically invested in work.
The impact on a business and the employee are equally detrimental. Where a business loses an engaged, skilled and knowledgeable employee, the employee will damage their reputation and significantly reduce the likelihood that they’ll be considered for career progression in the future.
While it’s essential to foster self-awareness to know when you’ve got nothing left in the tank to give, like New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, what’s critical is the ownership, accountability and how you execute the changes required to step aside and find a solution which better suits your needs, while catering to the needs of the business you’re exiting.
The lack of job satisfaction and meaning is becoming increasingly important when searching for the next career move. Every day I come across articles or statements sharing that employees are looking for meaning in their work. This is evident in the Australian trend, where the non-profit sector is seeing the fastest growth in the job market.
Not every job will clearly describe how the work done in the role changes the world. While it may seem odd to consider that there is genuine meaning in every role, if you consider each occupation and how it contributes to the bigger picture, it doesn’t take long to find the meaning and from there, is the opportunity to job craft the role into a position which provides you as an employee, meaning, purpose and positive well-being.
A laundromat employee keeps our clothing clean, ensuring hygiene and health for the person and their family and those they come in contact with.
A mail delivery person connects loved ones and friends through special packages of letters and parcels.
A police officer keeps our community safe and, sometimes, perpetrators safe from themselves.
A supermarket employee keeps their community fed.
A car wash employee enables happiness by providing a service that keeps a person’s pride and joy clean.
A mechanic keeps a vehicle safe, enabling not just the owner’s safety on the road but also that of every other driver.
Every role I’ve had in my career has to have a bigger purpose, and whether that was shared with me or not, I’ve created it regardless. Right now and for the last eight years, my purpose is to keep the community of Queensland safe when it comes to the supply of electricity. You might not find these exact words in a statement written in my position description, but it’s precisely what gets me out of bed each day. Every decision I make, every project I complete and every change I influence is to keep the Queensland community safe. I’m not an electrician, nor am I a field safety officer, but the work I do and the work my team does is to keep Queensland safe.
Imagine waking up each day knowing that’s what you were going to do that day, it’s truly rewarding.
Of course, there are challenges with every job that doesn’t necessarily fit the mould of a successful and meaningful day, but that is the case with just about every position.
While Quiet Quitting presents as limiting tasks strictly to those on the position description, not taking on additional responsibility and doing the bare minimum, when recognised, changes can be made to enable a better working environment and promote personal health and well-being.
If the motivator is stress, consider setting healthy boundaries between work and rest; if you’re unsure how to do this, seek help. Ensure open communication with your manager to safeguard your reputation and ensure it remains intact because if you disengage too quickly, you risk blowing up your career. Working with your manager will also give them the opportunity to understand how to better support you.
Of course, if Quiet Quitting is your response to a toxic workplace, exit as quickly as possible.
Considering how much time we spend working, our lives would be pretty dull if we just did the bare minimum. If you get tired, learn to rest, not quit.
