3 min read
"Quiet quitting" has been a hotly debated topic since the summer of 2022, thanks to the content creator @zaidleppelin. Although it only became well known through TikTok, the phenomenon has existed for decades. We explain here what "quiet quitting" means and what solutions there are for companies.
Quiet Quitting = Inner Resignation?
At first glance, quiet quitting sounds like employees mentally checking out because of dissatisfaction ("innere Kündigung" in German). But that is not what quiet quitting is.
The phenomenon basically describes employees who are satisfied with their work but do not do more than what is contractually agreed. "Quiet quitting" is therefore nothing other than "working to rule". This means, for example, deliberately avoiding overtime or extra work in order to prevent possible burnout. "Quiet quitters" put themselves as people and their work-life balance first, and no longer define their personality through their work, but through what they do in their free time. (Jakob, 2022)
The phenomenon is mainly attributed to Generation Z – above all because it gained relevance through TikTok. Internationally, however, "quiet quitting" was already reflected in the working habits of millennials and baby boomers. The phenomenon is therefore not new, but has gained prominence through social media. (Get Ahead by LinkedIn News, 2022) And it poses challenges above all for German companies, where a culture of overtime has been part of everyday working life for decades. Against the background of the growing skills shortage here, "quiet quitting" seems to be arriving at exactly the wrong time.
What can companies do about "quiet quitting"?
"Quiet quitting" is initially nothing bad, and it must not be confused with mental resignation. Employees continue to perform, but only as much as the contract requires. And there is a good deal companies can do to increase their employees' motivation to perform.
Communication is a key factor here.
In general, employers should create an environment in which employees can talk openly about their needs and also feel understood. This includes regular conversations with employees – not only at the annual appraisal or when something has gone wrong. (Haufe Online Redaktion, 2022)
In addition, companies should show their employees more appreciation for what they have achieved. Positive feedback, additional benefits that employees can enjoy in their working and private lives, training and team events increase identification with the company and thus raise the willingness to do more than what the contract requires. Another approach can be to involve employees even more in shaping their own workplace and in tapping potential for improvement. (Haufe Online Redaktion, 2022)
A final important point is setting and communicating boundaries. Companies should set clear limits on work outside working hours (for example, on holiday) and so enable their employees not to have to think about work all the time in their free time. (Haufe Online Redaktion, 2022)
In summary, the phenomenon of "quiet quitting" describes employees who are satisfied with their work but do not do more than what is contractually agreed. The emphasis here is on work-life balance. It is not a completely new phenomenon, but one that has recently gained a great deal of prominence because of social media. Companies can counter "quiet quitting" by creating a culture of open communication, showing their employees more appreciation, and setting and respecting clear boundaries for work outside working hours.
References
Get Ahead by LinkedIn News. (9 September 2022). Retrieved from https://www.linkedin.com: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/what-quiet-quitting-get-ahead-by-linkedin-news/
Haufe Online Redaktion. (16 November 2022). Retrieved from https://www.haufe.de: https://www.haufe.de/personal/hr-management/sechs-stellhebel-gegen-quiet-quitting_80_579368.html
Jakob, J. (22 November 2022). https://www.ndr.de. Retrieved from https://www.ndr.de/kultur/kulturdebatte/Quiet-Quitting-Was-bedeutet-das-eigentlich,quietquitting100.html: https://www.ndr.de/kultur/kulturdebatte/Quiet-Quitting-Was-bedeutet-das-eigentlich,quietquitting100.html
