What causes 'quiet quitting' and how does it affect workplaces?

Quiet quitting happens when people at work do just enough to keep their job, not more, like a kid who only finishes exactly what’s on their homework list and nothing extra.

Quiet quitting is like when you're playing with your toys, but you don’t try to build the biggest tower or make the most interesting race track. You just do what's needed so you can keep playing, not because you want to win.

Why it happens

Sometimes people feel overwhelmed at work, like they have too many tasks and not enough time. It’s like when you're trying to eat all your vegetables, but there are too many different kinds, and you just pick the ones you like best. Quiet quitting is kind of like that: people do only what's easy or required.

How it affects workplaces

When lots of people quietly quit, the whole workplace can feel slower, like when everyone in a game takes turns moving just one space instead of jumping ahead. Jobs might not get done as quickly, and sometimes new ideas don’t get shared because people are too tired to think about them.

But if everyone feels supported and happy, quiet quitting might go away, or even turn into quiet quitting with a smile! Quiet quitting happens when people at work do just enough to keep their job, not more, like a kid who only finishes exactly what’s on their homework list and nothing extra.

Quiet quitting is like when you're playing with your toys, but you don’t try to build the biggest tower or make the most interesting race track. You just do what's needed so you can keep playing, not because you want to win.

Why it happens

Sometimes people feel overwhelmed at work, like they have too many tasks and not enough time. It’s like when you're trying to eat all your vegetables, but there are too many different kinds, and you just pick the ones you like best. Quiet quitting is kind of like that: people do only what's easy or required.

How it affects workplaces

When lots of people quietly quit, the whole workplace can feel slower, like when everyone in a game takes turns moving just one space instead of jumping ahead. Jobs might not get done as quickly, and sometimes new ideas don’t get shared because people are too tired to think about them.

But if everyone feels supported and happy, quiet quitting might go away, or even turn into quiet quitting with a smile!

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Examples

  1. An employee stops working overtime because they feel overworked and unappreciated
  2. A team member no longer goes the extra mile because they think their efforts are ignored
  3. Someone just shows up for work, does what's required, and leaves without any additional effort

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