The Phenomenon of Quiet Quitting

Less than a year ago, businesses across the country were in a state of panic.

Staff members were handing in resignations left, right, and centre, leaving large gaps in our workforces.

Globally:

• 9% of employees people moved jobs.
• 40% considered a job change.

The ones that led the charge were deemed the bold and the brave, having decided to chase a career that was more appreciative of their time.

Enough was enough.

Others bided their time – too worried about finding a new position in the middle of an expensive pandemic (where uncertainty was crowding in).

However, that doesn’t mean they weren’t thinking about leaving. They still could be today.

Is The Great Resignation Over?

With every friend that left and new face that appeared, your employees’ resolve will have weakened – moving them one step closer to quitting their job.

This is a situation that’s only been made worst over the past year, due to difficult recruitment climates.

1. Frustration levels have risen.
2. Exhaustion has set in.
3. Burnout has turned into an overwhelming reality.

As a result, leaders have started to report falls in their team’s output (despite individuals still showing up to work and completing their duties).

Now, this trend has been given a name… quiet quitting. While not as immediately concerning as a resignation, the consequences of it can be just as devastating.

What is Quiet Quitting?

Put simply, it’s the act of your employees doing the bare minimum required to keep their job.

No more late nights.

No more answering emails as soon as they come in.

Sure, they’ll show up on time and work through their list of required duties… but they’ll also be ready to leave at exactly 5 pm.

The Signs of Quiet Quitting

Employees who are quiet quitting…:

1. Rarely volunteer for extra opportunities.
2. Are unlikely to attend non-enforced training.
3. Refuse to make up for the lost work that occurs when a colleague is sick.

This makes it extremely hard for a business to be flexible to market changes and shifts in demand, with the offer of overtime regularly being turned down.

It’s a difficult situation to be in.

Is Quiet Quitting Fair?

In the mind of your employees, they aren’t doing anything wrong.

Staff members across the UK are exhausted, and not caring about the work they do on a day-by-day basis beyond a certain level results in a lot less stress on their end.

For a leader, though, quiet quitting can be a difficult and hurtful circumstance to navigate. Why?

Well, such employees could be one wrong move away from handing in their resignation. Although this would allow you to seek a replacement, it’s not all positive.

Either you risk losing someone who was once a brilliant and passionate employee (thereby throwing away everything you’ve invested into them), or you accept that they are making a silent request for more.

How to Combat Quiet Quitting in the Workplace

To motivate your employees again, you first need to understand why they feel drained.

Most employees simply want a workplace that returns as much as it gives. Is that something you’re providing?

Ask yourself:

• How often do I thank my team?
• When was the last time I recognised someone for their hard work?
• Do my employees feel appreciated?

Then, to boost morale, consider conducting a fresh round of pay reviews, establishing a reward scheme, and promoting those who deserve it.

These small gestures will prove to your team that you care and could make a big difference to your talent availability as you head into 2023.

Growing your team will help reduce individual workloads, providing employees with the vital space they need to rest and rejuvenate. The expert recruiters at Ross Clifford & Associates can identify shortages within your workforce and address issues before it’s too late.