"Quiet Quit" and "Quiet Prosperity": 2 Strategies for Those Who Don't Love Their Jobs

What is "silent dismissal" and why workaholism is no longer in vogue

What do people usually do when they stop liking their job? Most likely, they turn to management and say that they are leaving. It will sound paradoxical, but you can leave the company without even telling anyone about your decision. To do this, the employee begins to do only the necessary minimum of tasks and does not stay at work longer than the allotted time. Formally, he continues to fulfill his duties, remains in the state and receives a salary, but no longer tries to give his best. This is something like internal emigrationbut in a career. This approach is called quiet quitting, translated from English - “quiet dismissal”, or “quiet leaving”.

The strategy is different from the usual sloppiness or sabotage. Employees who choose her do not want to be fired as soon as possible. They conscientiously work within the hours allotted for this. However, if the boss suggests that they take on an additional load, perform tasks that are not prescribed in contract, replace a colleague on vacation for free, stay in the office or come there on a day off, you will receive unambiguous

Quiet dismissal was actively talked about in 2022. The world's largest media wrote about the phenomenon, and The New Yorker did not named last year was a year of quiet quitting. It all started with a TikTok video from a user named Zaid Khan. He posted a short video with a story about this approach and shared his opinion that the value of a person is not determined by work, but a culture where work becomes a whole life can and should be abandoned. Many responded to the thoughts of the young man, and the video went viral. Posts with the #quietquitting hashtag have garnered more than 8 million views on TikTok, and hundreds of people have shared their experiences of quietly leaving on Reddit.

The idea of ​​quiet quitting is not new. For example, the 1999 film Office Space essentially talks about the benefits of this principle. Main character comedy after a hypnosis session that did not go according to plan, he stops worrying about his work and becomes happier.

20 years ago, a relaxed attitude to one's duties might have looked like a real rebellion against corporate culture, possible only in the movies, but now quietly leaving has become a trend.

Experts considerthat COVID-19 could be the cause. During the pandemic, massive cuts and employees who kept their jobs were forced to work both for themselves and for laid-off colleagues, which often led to burnout. The risk of its occurrence was also increased by the transition to a remote format. The boundaries between personal and work spaces have blurred: it has become much more difficult to fully relax and get distracted from the affairs of the house. At the same time, the global catastrophe has forced many to reconsider their priorities and realize that a career is far from the most important thing in life.

Another reason for the popularity of quiet layoffs may be the massive entry into the labor market. buzzers and late millennials. For these generations, money is not so importanthow healthy balance between work and personal life, and success is not necessarily associated with a high position and salary. Therefore, they are more likely to prefer a quiet dismissal to a career race. It confirms study Gallup: In the US, employee engagement under 35 is dropping particularly fast.

The strategy could become a symmetrical response to another trend - the hustle culture, or the culture of fuss. It is based on the idea that the only way to success - Hard work to the limit.

Influencers and famous entrepreneurs like Elon Musk have been actively promoting extreme workaholism in recent years.

Working 12 hours a day without holidays and days off has become not just the norm, but a reason for pride. This unhealthy desire for super-efficiency is called toxic productivity. Along with career advancement, it brings problems with mental and physical health, self-esteem and motivation. Compared to this approach, quitting quietly looks like a healthier and more attractive alternative.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of quiet dismissal?

Their own well-being is a priority for silent care practitioners, so they are better able to build personal boundaries and listen to your needs. The strategy helps them find that same balance between work and personal life and find time and resources for hobbies, communication with loved ones and taking care of themselves. All this can protect against stress and make a person happier.

But quiet dismissal is not a panacea. Engaging in an unloved activity, albeit in an energy-saving mode, will not help achieve satisfaction and will not solve the problem of low motivation. To do this, you have to understand yourself.

Quiet layoffs may keep their seats for a long time, but they definitely shouldn't count on for promotions and bonuses, and in the event of a reduction, most likely, it is these employees who will be asked to leave first. Therefore, the strategy is definitely not suitable for those who planned to improve their financial situation or will not be able to painlessly survive a sudden dismissal.

successfully deal with processing and defending their boundaries is not possible in every team. If you want to try a quiet dismissal but are worried about the possible consequences, test the waters ahead of time. Career coach Alexandra Kostrubin advises paying attention to the working environment in the company and its values, as well as the possibility of healthy communication with colleagues and superiors.

What is Quiet Prosperity and how is it different from Quiet Layoff?

If you feel that you have lost motivation and are close to burnout, but for various reasons, quiet dismissal does not suit you, take quiet thriving into service. This term in an article for The Washington Post suggested psychotherapist Leslie Alderman. Unlike Quiet Exit, Quiet Prosperity invites you to take a more proactive stance and take small actions that will help you enjoy your work again. Here are the steps Alderman recommends:

• Find something enjoyable in your work. Don’t dwell on the negative and remember which of the current tasks inspire you and turn out the best. Discuss with your superiors the possibility of focusing on them and less doing things that cause stress and irritation. If you wanted to try yourself in a different direction and take on duties atypical for your position, tell us about it. A good leader will figure out how to "recreate» your job, because it is in his best interest to have a motivated and happy employee.
• Don't gloss over problems. If you are not comfortable with irregular schedules and messages after hours, don't be patient, but in a calm manner share this with management and suggest how problems can be resolved. It is possible that removing them is easier than it seems.
• Communicate more often with colleagues. Of course, only with those you like. When the team has FriendsIt's much more pleasant to come to work. And if one of the employees is experiencing the same problems as you, unite to solve them. With a group, it will be easier to achieve changes in work processes.
• Feel free to rest. Regular short breaks can help you stay productive, perform better on tasks, and feel less tired at the end of the day.
• Record your achievements. A list of your achievements will remind you of the value and meaning of your work and give you a sense of confidence. If this does not return motivation, then at least it will help you decide to look for a new, more interesting job.

What else can you do to prevent burnout? Olga Chadulina recommends planning your career development, setting specific goals and tracking results. This will help reduce uncertainty is a common cause of burnout. She also advises to carefully monitor your condition and notice alarming bells in time. Procrastination, lack of interest in news from the professional sphere, irritation from the requests of colleagues can be an occasion for a serious conversation with yourself.

And the last advice: try to have a good rest. That is, not just lying on the couch, but playing sports, walking and devoting time to your hobbies in order to feel the taste of life again.