Post-COVID has made many people reflect on their work-life balance due to the working-from-home concept during the pandemic. The pandemic may have caused an increase in demand in some industries such as e-commerce that have caused employees to work more hours for the same pay. Since the pandemic, there has been a drastic change in workplace culture that has resulted in the mindset of ‘Quiet Quitting’.  

What is Quiet Quitting?

Quiet quitting does not mean quitting your job but just doing what your job demands and nothing more. You show up for work and only do what is within your job requirements, this would mean no more working after hours or help out with additional tasks. The quiet quitting trend has been growing as young workers have grown tired of not getting recognition and compensation for putting in extra hours. Young workers are focusing on work-life balance and the movement is centred on self-preservation. The movement may have its origin in China where they have the 996-work system that stands for working between 9 am to 9 pm for 6 days sparking a now-censored hastag #tangping meaning “lie flat” in protest of the long working hours culture.

Is Quiet Quitting a Good Thing?

Quiet quitting may have a positive impact on someone’s work-life balance and reduce stress caused by extreme workloads. From an employer’s standpoint though, having employees doing the bare minimum may prevent advancement within a company. Companies tend to advance employees that show loyalty and dedication to a company such as working outside your job remit, helping others out, and working outside the hours when required. Doing the extra work can help managers see an employee’s dedication to working.

Quiet quitting may have highlighted issues with companies managing millennials and generation Z that will soon make up a greater portion of the workforce. Millennials’ and Generation Z’s upbringing told them they are special and capable of achieving what they want. Workplaces may find it difficult for younger workers in the workplace as they demand opportunities for growth while having a work-life balance. You can view my Managing Millennials in the Workplace to find out what millennials are looking for in a workplace.

Summary

There is no hiding the fact that the pandemic has enabled employees to reflect on their current work-life balance and aspirations in their careers whether their current position offers growth in the role. Quiet quitting has been the response of many due to not getting any recognition for their hard work through the pandemic. Many have resorted to doing the bare minimum that their job requires and not working a second over their contracted working hours. Quiet quitting might be a short-term trend or could end up being a long-term situation. As young generations may have different expectations of their workplace than their older colleagues, employers will need to reevaluate and adapt their work processes to cater for the new generation that is coming into work.