Quiet Quitting: What Does It Mean?
Over the last couple of weeks, a new trend on TikTok has gotten everyone’s attention after a video went viral in which the phrase “quiet quitting” was used. We all ask ourselves what does this phrase mean? Is it slacking off? Are employees everywhere just deciding to quit their jobs? The short answer to these questions is no.
What does the phrase “quiet quitting” mean?
Essentially this phrase means not doing more than what is expected, doing your duties for which you were hired, and not going above and beyond. This phrase does not mean an employee is resigning from their position, it simply states that employees are no longer willing to do more than what they were essentially hired to do, as TikToker Allison Peck said, “They’re not chasing hustle culture at work.”
With this new trend in place, many employees worldwide have expressed their support to this as many say they need to find a balance between their personal lives and their job. Employees feel they do not have the need nor the obligation to do more and should not be punished for doing the bare minimum as the approach many employees are having is they are doing what they were hired for.
What lead to this new trend of “quiet quitting”?
Over the last three years, it has been no surprise how the world changed with the Global pandemic of Covid-19. Many people were forced to work from home or work in a hybrid schedule, this made many employees reassess the time they would spend commuting to work and back home, working overtime, and realized it was not worth it or this was essentially causing them struggles in their personal lives and mental health. This trend is essentially trying to set out boundaries between the employees’ personal lives and their workplace.
This new trend has sparked employees everywhere to “quit” all the extra things they do at work so they can prevent work from taking over their lives. Essentially during the pandemic, many workers all over the world struggled with mental health issues, as the world had to be placed in lockdowns many employees realized that once work stopped, they really had nothing else, as work consumed their everyday lives. Employees everywhere have adapted to this new work-from-home or hybrid working style as it allows them to have more time for not only themselves but their loved ones, they are no longer willing to overwork themselves for a paycheck.
Is this new trend affecting employers?
From a general point of view, it is not, as employers should have clear and open communication with their employees or potential new employees. They should set out their expectations from the start that way employees do not feel like they are being overworked. It is very important for employers to have clearly defined job descriptions that way both the employer and employee understand what their expectations and obligations are and can avoid confusion down the line.
Employers should always be very clear as to what they expect from their employees as this sets the employment relationship. In order to avoid an employee feeling overworked or unappreciated, employers should set down from the beginning what the employee is required to do. If an employee’s duties change along the line of the employment relationship, employers should have these in writing and speak to the employee.
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What can employees do if they feel like they are being overworked?
As always communication is key in an employment relationship, with this being said employees should address their concerns with their employers but should do this in writing that way they have a record of what has been said in case of an employer in the future decides to dismiss that particular employee for not performing their job to the company’s standards. Employees must keep in mind that their employer should not change their job duties, in the event that they do they should draft or amend their employment contract.
Advice for employers
Employees play a big role if not the biggest role which allows your company to continue running, therefore it is important to make sure they feel supported in their roles. Employers should try to engage in conversations with their employees and make sure they feel comfortable and content with their position, it is a good idea to set up a weekly or monthly meeting with your team that way everyone is on the same page. An employer should show their team that they are committed as leaders.
Having a well-drafted employment contract plays a huge role in avoiding an employee feeling overwhelmed or overworked, as the agreement will set out the responsibilities and obligations the employee has. Employers should set out the duties the employee is expected to perform.
Conclusion
Everyone has their own opinion as to what the phrase “quiet quitting” represents, some believe it is slacking off others see it as incentivizing employees to fulfill the duties of their job description without overworking themselves and not letting work take over their personal lives by working long hours. It is essentially setting healthy work-life boundaries. Dedication and hard work should always be important as this allows people everywhere to advance in their careers, but it is also important for employees to speak their minds if they are feeling overworked. The phrase quiet quitting caught everyone’s attention as employees now feel the right and need to express themselves and basically just separate work obligations from their own personal obligations not just with themselves but with their families. Quiet quitting does not in any way mean that employees are resigning from their positions, as mentioned above it simply states that will do what is expected o them and nothing more.
Contact Achkar Law
If you are an employer who needs their employment contracts drafted or revised or an employee who has questions pertaining to your employment contract, our team of experienced workplace lawyers at Achkar Law can help.
Contact us by phone toll-free at +1 (800) 771-7882 or email us at [email protected] and we would be happy to assist.
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