The term “quiet quitting” emerged on TikTok in the summer of 2022. In one viral video, user @zaidleppelin (formerly @zkchillin) described the practice as “not outright quitting” but “quitting the idea of going above and beyond.” “You’re still performing your duties, but you’re no longer subscribing to the hustle culture mentality that work has to be your life,” he said in his video. Quiet quitting has roots in the Chinese social movement tangping (lying flat). Tangping also emerged on social media but goes beyond merely doing the minimum at work. Practitioners describe lives structured around being instead of doing, skipping typical milestones like marriage, homeownership, or building a career. As The Washington Post reported in June 2021, some people who choose to follow the tangping lifestyle work only a few months a year or not at all and post videos of themselves resting that are often censored by the state. In the U.S., quiet quitting may resonate with some union organizers, who recognize it as a form of “work to rule,” a labor tactic that involves workers performing only the contractually obligated parts of their job. Work to rule is an alternative to a strike and slows down production while still allowing workers to collect their pay. Alternate name: work to rule
Example of Quiet Quitting
Quiet quitting looks different in every job. For example, an office worker might quietly quit by refusing to answer work emails after hours or take client calls on their vacation. On the other hand, a teacher might find it challenging to restrict work to the classroom, because it’s hard to grade papers and prepare syllabi while teaching. But they might decide to restrict student meetings to their office hours or scale back accepting additional work from managers.
Quiet Quitting: Good Boundaries or Lack of Ambition?
The debate about quiet quitting boils down to this question: is doing just what’s required an example of good boundaries, or a lack of ambition? Many jobs come with expectations that employees will go above and beyond what’s required. In many cultures, the U.S. included, doing so is a mark of being a good worker, even a good person. But if work responsibilities increase and real wages decline, there may be a sense among some workers that putting in the extra effort benefits only employers. Understandably, employers are less enthused about this trend. Employee engagement and productivity have a direct impact on a company’s bottom line. If employees do less, employers are likely to see smaller profits. A cultural shift to paying workers for everything they do would mean a very different budget for many employers, especially in the education and health care sectors, which typically depend on a certain amount of unpaid labor.
What Is Quiet Firing?
Critics responded to the furor around quiet quitting by pointing out that companies engage in their own covert behavior toward workers. Have you ever taken on additional duties at work without getting a promotion, or earned a promotion that didn’t come with a raise? Or maybe you’ve seen important projects slide off your to-do list and onto someone else’s or watched all your one-on-one meetings with your manager disappear from your calendar. If so, you may have experienced quiet firing. Sometimes, what looks like quiet firing is just an example of corporate dysfunction, in which good workers are rewarded with more work, less direction, and no additional compensation. Other times, it may be a ploy to get workers to quit.
Alternatives to Quiet Quitting
Quiet quitting is an option if you feel like you want to take a step back from work, but not the only one. Learn how you as an employee—or even as an employer—can avoid quiet quitting.
For Employees
Know what good boundaries look like: In some ways, “quiet quitting” is just a trendy term for something all workers deserve: time away from work. Remember that you have a right to leisure and a need for rest. Leave before you’re pushed: Depending on your work environment, saying no to extra duties may be almost as stressful as being overloaded with work. If you find yourself in a position where quiet quitting makes sense, you might consider whether it’s time to look for another job or career that’s a better fit. Keep your options open: Regardless of your situation at work, very few jobs are forever. Keep your resume updated and your contacts in the loop. The best way to stay happy at work is to make sure you’re not stuck in one place.
For Employers
Set better work boundaries: Prohibit sending work emails after hours. Provide paid time off and ensure that employees are able to use it. Make a good example: Managers can set the tone by not glorifying overwork. Set a precedent for work-life balance, taking PTO, and unplugging after work. Proactively address burnout: Quiet quitting isn’t always a tactic. Sometimes, it’s a normal response to working too much. Make sure staffers have access to employee assistance programs, as well as good work boundaries. And keep your door open.
