It's no secret that the American workforce is experiencing unprecedented levels of turnover. In fact, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, around 47 million workers quit their jobs in 2021. The "Great Resignation," as many call it, isn't all because of the pandemic– although the uncertainty Covid-19 injected into the economy certainly played a role.
According to the Harvard Business Review, the mass exodus of workers in recent times is all but a culmination of what apparently has been a very slow burn. Data shows that turnover rates have been slowly creeping up since 2009, but the pandemic expedited the process. And while some workers have left for greener pastures, others have simply had enough and are opting out of the workforce altogether.
Gartner reveals that the current turnover rate is poised to reach around 20% to 24% this year, and there's something else that may drive these rates even higher: Quiet Quitting.
This phenomenon has been given many names- "Quiet Quitting," "Passive Resignation," and "Working Your Wage"- but whatever you call it, the problem is real.
Quiet quitting is when an employee starts to disengage from their work long before they hand in their notice. They stop putting in the extra effort, they start looking for other jobs, and they generally become less invested in both their work and the workplace.
The term recently went viral among burnt-out Gen Z workers desperately trying to secure work-life balance. Perhaps the most candid and accessible portrayal of the phenomenon is TikTok creator Sarai Marie's short skits. In one of her videos, which has amassed over a million views, Marie's character says to an imaginary employer: "Respectfully, Susan, it's 2022; we're acting our wage, so don't give me extra work."
Quiet quitting has its roots in the older concept called "Work-to-Rule." This is when an employee strictly adheres to the duties laid out in their job description and nothing more. It's a way of protesting unfair working conditions or management without resorting to more disruptive methods, like calling in sick or going on strike.
Research shows that younger employees are more likely to quiet quit. Gallup reports that 55% of employees born after 1989, or workers currently aged 18 to 34, are not engaged at work. In addition, an Employee Stress Check 2022 Report by Talkspace revealed that workers these days are more prone to burnout, alongside a slew of mental health issues.
Today's always-on culture, in which workers are expected to be available 24/7, has a lot to do with it. Combine that with the effects of the pandemic– like working from home full time, job insecurity, and childcare responsibilities– and you have a recipe for disaster.
So, what can HR professionals do to prevent employees from quietly quitting? The first step to preventing your employees from quietly quitting is to address the root causes of their disengagement. This means creating a workplace that values employee wellness, work-life balance, and professional development.
Here are a few other things you can do:
By taking these steps, you can create a workplace that's more conducive to employee engagement and prevent your employees from quietly quitting. To learn more about how you can improve employee satisfaction and performance, book a demo with us.