Amidst inflation, workers are tired of being asked to do more without the compensation to back their responsibility level. And yet, according to the Gallup poll, many quiet quitters also fit the description of disengaged workers: a desire to do minimum required work – and psychologically detached.
In short, quiet quitting has been popularized recently with employees that are just at a job for the paycheck and aren't really emotionally or intellectually engaged. It's about doing the bare minimum, and not going “above and beyond”.
“Quiet quitting in a relationship, or 'quiet dumping,' is when your partner chooses only to do the bare minimum required to date you without you breaking up with them… they've totally lost interest, but they don't want to be the one to break it off.
Research. Researchers have found that the silent treatment is used by both men and women to terminate a partner's behaviors or words rather than to elicit them. 1 In abusive relationships, the silent treatment is used to manipulate the other person and to establish power over them.
Using the silent treatment is an unproductive way of communicating within a relationship. It can sometimes be a form of self-protection, but at other times, it indicates emotional abuse. People who regularly use or experience the silent treatment should take steps to address it.
If you're wondering whether you can be fired for adopting a “quietly quitting” mindset on the job, the short answer is yes, you probably can. Employers still have a great deal of latitude when it comes to dismissing workers for not pulling their weight on the job.
It's okay to quit when we are, in essence, setting boundaries. For example when a person in a role or a process becomes “more work than they're worth,” it's a sure sign that it's time to quit the system or process.
A recent Gallup poll found that 50% of the US workforce is quiet quitting, corporate America's latest movement where workers have said “enough” to overworking, and decided to set boundaries for their wellbeing.
So, perhaps “quiet quitting” itself isn't a problem, but instead, it's an indication that workplace expectations have gotten out of control, and as a result, many are demanding a realignment that is both overdue and necessary.
When passionate employees become quiet, according to Tim McClure, it usually sends a signal that the work environment has become very dysfunctional. Suspicion and insecurity clouds the culture and employees retreat into self-protection behavior patterns to protect themselves from the forces within the company.
But if we're going to accuse workers of quiet quitting, we should also acknowledge the phenomenon of “quiet firing,” in which employers avoid providing all but the bare legal minimum, possibly with the aim of getting unwanted employees to quit.
It's best to quit in person if you can do so, but you may be able to resign by phone or email. Always write a resignation letter that includes your last day of work and your thanks for the opportunity. Know that you may be asked to leave as soon as you resign; pack up your belongings and personal files before you quit.
While quitting a job that leaves your mental health in a poor state may sound like a clear-cut decision, it's far from it. Financial and social considerations are critical to consider, along with the commitment—warranted or not—many people feel towards their employer.
We don't recommend it. Quitting your job on the spot doesn't do you or your employer any good. It's likely you'll burn bridges in your exit. You might impact your co-workers and teammates when you leave.
The advantages of quitting instead of being fired include the possibility of negotiating severance and a positive recommendation. Disadvantages of quitting include forfeiting the right to claim unemployment. Any time you think your job is in danger, it's a good idea to start looking for a new job just in case.
It may be tricky to spot the warning signs of a quiet firing, as things can unfold gradually. But signs include being continually passed over for a promotion, not receiving a raise despite working at the same company for years, a lack of performance reviews and/or a disengaged manager.
Depending on their emotional state at the time of your conversation, your manager may become immediately upset, or even furious that you are resigning. They may feel a sense of betrayal, as well as anxiety about how they will manage the workload without you.
The same goes with quiet firing — if an employer has just cause to terminate an employee, then there are no legal ramifications. What is illegal is an employee being let go for unjust reasons. This includes being retaliated against for making complaints of discrimination or harassment.
It can leave significant psychological and emotional repercussions on the person on the receiving end. Being left in silence can be extremely painful, as it involves the loss of connection, love, intimacy, and sometimes even family participation.
The silent treatment is strikingly similar to gaslighting, as both flourish in power and control. In fact, some therapists call the silent treatment a form of gaslighting, used to cause personal uncertainty, and a sense of doubt when considering goals, self-views and worldviews.
It would typically last about two weeks.