A few years ago, the months leading up to my friend Claire quitting her job, she started slowing down. She would clock in exactly on time, not a minute earlier and she would clock out on the dot of 5pm, regardless of whether she still had work to do or not. She did her tasks as quickly as possible and didn’t spend extra time going that extra mile. To be honest, I didn’t blame her. Her boss was rude and unappreciative, and the organisation didn’t value her at all. She was very demotivated. There is a name for Claire’s behaviour at work and that is quiet quitting. Let's explore what this phenomenon is all about. Don't forget to answer the reading comprehension questions you'll find at the end.
Luckily for Claire, another opportunity came up and she quit, this can be referred to as conscious quitting; she handed in her notice and went to work for an organisation that valued her skills and talent. I am happy to say that Claire is now working in Germany for a fantastic organisation that fits her values, and she feels much more appreciated. She may do extra hours, but she feels rewarded for her work both emotionally and financially.
The term quiet quitting became popular post COVID-19 pandemic. It was popularised by a recruiter and career coach Brian Creely who posted a video about it on social media in 2022. However, there is some debate about the origins of the expression and some academics believe that it comes from the Chinese expression ‘lying flat’ which appeared around 2008 in protest against the hardline overworking culture popular in China.
Why do people engage in quiet quitting?
It’s often a response to burnout, feeling unappreciated, or not seeing the point of putting in extra effort when there’s no reward. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, more employees have been rethinking their work-life balance and choosing to focus on their well-being rather than going “above and beyond” at work.
Quiet quitting refers to setting boundaries and doing only what’s required. Some people see it as a way to protect their mental health, while others view it as a sign of disengagement from work. If there are lots of people quietly quitting in an organisation, it can be a sign that something is not going well, and employees are psychologically detaching from the workplace. This is not good for the organisation or the well-being of the employees and often leads to greater absenteeism and eventual conscious quitting.
What’s the difference between quiet quitting and conscious quitting?
As the name suggests, the biggest difference between quiet quitting and conscious quitting is action. Quiet quitting is about staying in a job but reducing extra effort. Conscious quitting is about leaving altogether.
Both trends reflect the changing attitudes of employees today. People want meaningful work, fair treatment, and a good work-life balance. If they don’t get it, some will quietly disengage, while others will consciously walk away.
For example, if someone values sustainability but works for a company that harms the environment, they might choose to leave rather than compromise their beliefs. Or if they feel stuck in a position with no chance of advancement, they might decide it’s time to find a better opportunity. Or, like my friend Claire, if the work environment is toxic because of a manager’s attitude and a general putrid workplace culture, they will quietly quit before leaving altogether.
So, is it better to quietly quit, or consciously quit? It depends on the situation, like how much you need your job financially and if there are other opportunities out there for you. But one thing is clear: the way we think about work is evolving, and employees are demanding more from their jobs than ever before, so if business sees that employees are doing the bare minimum, it may be time to start asking some difficult questions to see what is going on. Is it a question of lazy individuals, or is it a symptom of workplace discontent?
Multiple-Choice Questions
- What does "quiet quitting" mean?
a) Leaving a job without giving notice
b) Doing only the required work without extra effort
c) Resigning in protest against poor working conditions
d) Switching careers to find more meaningful work - Why did Claire engage in quiet quitting before leaving her job?
a) She wanted to protest against corporate policies
b) She was demotivated due to her boss’s attitude and lack of appreciation
c) She was planning to start her own business
d) She was taking care of a family emergency - What is the key difference between quiet quitting and conscious quitting?
a) Quiet quitting means leaving the company immediately, while conscious quitting is a planned departure
b) Quiet quitting involves staying in a job but disengaging, while conscious quitting means resigning
c) Quiet quitting is more common among managers, while conscious quitting is for employees
d) Quiet quitting is illegal in some countries, while conscious quitting is widely accepted - When did the term "quiet quitting" become popular?
a) During the 2008 financial crisis
b) After the COVID-19 pandemic
c) In the 1990s during the dot-com boom
d) After Claire resigned from her job - What is one possible origin of the term "quiet quitting"?
a) A book on modern workplace trends
b) A protest movement in Europe
c) The Chinese phrase “lying flat”
d) A law passed in the United States - Why do employees engage in quiet quitting?
a) To gain a promotion more quickly
b) To increase their productivity and efficiency
c) To set boundaries and protect their mental health
d) To show loyalty to their employer - What do both quiet quitting and conscious quitting reflect about modern employees?
a) They are willing to accept poor working conditions
b) They prioritize meaningful work and fair treatment
c) They prefer long-term job stability over personal well-being
d) They believe that working extra hours always leads to promotions
Answer Key
- b
- b
- b
- b
- c
- c
- b