With workplace’s ‘quiet quitting’ trend, managers must be proactive, attentive

“Quiet quitting,” today’s newly emerging workplace mindset, describes employees who are doing the bare minimum at work by reducing their commitment, energy and productivity on the job.

The path these employees are taking is clear. 

But the response from manager, team leader or employer is also critical. 

WORKPLACE’S NEW ‘QUIET QUITTING’ TREND — AND THE PITFALLS FOR TODAY’S EMPLOYEES

“On the heels of movements like the Great Resignation, quiet quitting is the latest example of employees changing their attitudes about work and re-evaluating what’s important,” Kristi Hummel, chief people officer at Skillsoft, based in Boston, told FOX Business. 

“No longer are they willing to go above and beyond what’s asked unless there’s meaningful give-and-take — and this doesn’t just mean salary bumps and added vacation days,” she continued.

Some employees “who may have overextended themselves in the past are reverting to performing only the duties they were hired to do, in an attempt to restore balance in their lives,” said one HR executive. (iStock / iStock)

In addition, “Those workers who may have overextended themselves in the past are reverting to performing only the duties they were hired to do, in an attempt to restore balance in their lives,” she noted. 

How does this shift in employee commitment and work ethic impact American’s businesses, and those who lead them?  

CAREER CHALLENGE: DO YOU REALLY NEED TO GIVE TWO WEEKS’ NOTICE WHEN LEAVING A JOB?

Human resource experts and corporate executives shared with FOX Business how they’re handling this emerging workforce trend — and their reactions to it.

How do managers spot a ‘quiet quitter’?  

Hummel says that managers and leadership must be “acutely” aware of how teams are feeling and be on the lookout for signs of quiet quitting — which may include traditionally strong employees opting to take a backseat on projects.

They may also show signs of declining job performance.

“Decreased engagement is also a clear sign of quiet quitting,” she noted. 

Quiet quitters don’t leave the job. Instead, they drastically reduce their commitment, energy and productivity, affecting the company as a whole. (iStock / iStock)

Another telltale sign of quiet quitting: an employee’s decreased interest in work reviews and performance. 

“They might also seem more heads-down than usual and ask fewer questions on how their performance is measuring up against expectations,” Victoria Elman, general counsel and head of people at Catalant, also in Boston, told FOX Business. 

They may also “seem less concerned with promotions, raises, advancement, and career pathing,” she explained.

CAREER CHALLENGE IN 2022: HOW SHOULD YOU HANDLE A LAZY CO-WORKER?

Other business leaders maintain that a policy-in-place approach to quiet quitters in their company can help this growing issue. 

Miller says that new hires join a company with an expectation that they will be positive, productive and trusted members of an organization. 

“Recognizing and…