A new trend is on the rise, that is affecting many IT professionals. It’s called quiet quitting. Employees were worn out in 2020 at the beginning of Covid-19. Workloads were heavily increasing, and employees realized their jobs were not aligning with their values and beliefs. This was the catalyst for the great resignation. Some might see this new trend as lazy, while others use it to cope with burnout.
What is quiet quitting?
Contrary to its name, quiet quitting has nothing to do with quitting. It refers to employees doing their regular tasks during typical workdays. The catch, though, is that they don’t take on additional responsibilities or participate in any extracurriculars at work. They clock in and clock out.
What are the signs of quiet quitting?
- A sudden change in pushback
- Decrease in productivity
- Employee stops volunteering and taking initiative
What causes employees to quiet quit?
Excess workload
Quiet quitters often complain they’re taking on the work of 2 or 3 people. While some parts of the year are busier and may require some overtime, this shouldn’t be the norm year-round. Heavy workloads can cause a higher turnover rate, which can burden remaining employees with even more work than they already had. A once highly engaged employee can turn sour real quick when this happens.
Poor work-life balance
When employees feel they have no work-life balance, they might resort to quiet quitting. This could be due to colleagues or supervisors consistently expecting you to return their calls or emails outside work hours, or perhaps being interrupted during your vacation time or having PTO requests denied. When these boundaries are constantly impeded, employees don’t feel respected or valued and will react by quiet quitting.
Unclear expectations
Quiet quitters often state that their bosses have unrealistic expectations and unreasonable demands. Simply put, employees feel their employers are expecting too much or aren’t even sure what their employers’ expectations are. Perhaps deadlines are constantly being shifted, or goals and metrics are unclear. Even if employees feel they are doing well but receive inconsistent feedback, it becomes confusing.
Unfair compensation
Another common complaint from quiet quitters is they are doing more work than they are paid for. If workloads are increasing but salaries are staying the same, employees won’t feel they are receiving proper compensation. Quiet quitting is a way to dish back what they were served.
How to combat quiet quitting
Maintain boundaries
Employees quiet quit as a way to set boundaries. If you don’t want employees to quiet quit, prove that you respect their personal life by reinforcing these boundaries. As a manager, you set the tone for everyone else. If you are promoting and enforcing boundaries, your employees will follow suit.
Possible ways to do this are:
- Reward employees who work overtime hours
- Promote a culture that doesn’t glorify overworking
- Emphasize answering work calls/emails after hours is optional
- Encourage employees to take breaks and eat their lunches away from their workspaces
Be transparent about the job role
It’s not unheard of or rare for employees to have way more responsibilities than they first applied for. As a company expands and the tech industry changes, it’s natural for jobs to evolve and grow beyond their original scope. However, these changes typically come after the employee has signed on. This can feel like a bait and switch.
During the hiring stage, employers should be open and transparent about the nature of the job. Hiring managers should review the position so the job posting can more accurately reflect the expectations of the role. If you know the role will soon take on new responsibilities, let candidates know beforehand.
Promote employee wellness
Because quiet quitting is often due to employees feeling a lack of balance between life and their work, this can cause a decrease in their overall wellness. Depending on the state of your organization, you might need to overhaul your wellness programs or introduce them all together. If an employee’s physical and mental wellness is lacking, it will majorly impact their performance. If you want more engaged employees, it’s time you invest in their wellness. Some possible benefits to invest in are:
- Flexible work hours
- Telehealth
- Mental health
- Stress management
Implement a rewards and recognition program
A significant cause of quiet quitting is feeling unappreciated and undervalued. Implementing a rewards and recognition program can increase employee happiness and make employees feel valued again. Rewards for a job well done don’t have to be overly complicated. It could be giving employees a gift card to their favourite coffee spot or some impromptu time off. The important thing is that employees feel valued. Your best bet is to discuss with your employees to find out how they most prefer to be recognized.
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