Quiet quitting has recently become a hot topic. And while there’s a lot of controversy surrounding the subject, many people are failing to understand the impact quiet quitting has on mental health.
Quiet quitting isn’t the same as quitting your job. It’s a phrase that describes doing your job as per your job description and not letting it take over your life. One example of quiet quitting could be refusing to answer work calls, messages, or emails after the end of your working day.
The term quiet quitting first appeared on Twitter in March 2022 and it has since gained popularity among employees across the world. Workers have embraced the new movement of setting strict work boundaries and prioritizing their hobbies and interests outside of work with the goal of maintaining a healthier work-life balance.
Quiet quitting is an excellent way for workers to take back control of their lives and avoid becoming stressed or burnt out. There are plenty of different ways to quiet quit, but the goal is always the same — to make a major change by taking action.
Quiet quitting and mental health
Most people consider quiet quitting when they’re experiencing stress and burnout. It can be a healthy and effective way for employees to regain control of their lives and avoid further anxiety and stress in their job. Many people see it as a coping mechanism for when they’re feeling overwhelmed and don’t know what to do about the stress caused by their job.
While quiet quitting can solve a number of problems, it can be a sign of a serious mental health condition, such as anxiety or depression. If you’re considering quiet quitting, it’s a good idea to seek the help of a therapist. They can help you get to the root of the problem and explore your avenues of support.
Quiet quitting guide
If you’ve explored all the options available to you and you decide quiet quitting is your best strategy, it’s important to do it the right way. It may have an impact on your future career aspects and your well-being, so think about it carefully and consider following the plan below:
- Speak to someone you trust or a professional therapist. They may be able to help you get to the root of your stress or anxiety and understand your options. Just speaking to someone can help you feel less stressed and confirm why quiet quitting is the best option available to you.
- Practice self-care before and after quiet quitting. This will make sure you’re in the best mental state possible to make the right decisions. Self-care involves getting enough sleep, working out regularly, keeping up a healthy diet, practicing mindfulness, and doing activities that you genuinely enjoy.
- Create a proper exit plan before quiet quitting. Be sure to explore your options for employment elsewhere, just in case your employer isn’t receptive to your choice. You should also take into account possible negative results, such as losing professional contacts or temporary financial difficulties. Having a clear plan will help you quietly quit intentionally, rather than impulsively.
Managers and quiet quitting
If you’re a manager, you may be worried about employees quietly quitting. In this case, it’s important you ask some hard questions, one of which should be why people are considering quietly quitting.
Bad managers are one of the main causes of employees quietly quitting. Poor management techniques, such as upholding unrealistic expectations, micromanaging, bad communication, unfair treatment, and lack of respect can all speed up anxiety, stress, and burnout in employees, causing them to quietly quit out of frustration or lack of support.
When people don’t feel appreciated or that their efforts aren’t being recognized, it’s common for them to become overwhelmed and feel undervalued. This can quickly result in quietly quitting, in an effort to regain control of their lives and add value.
Bad managers can also cultivate a workplace environment of fear, in which workers are too worried or scared to speak up for themselves and suggest a change. This can have a huge negative mental impact on employee morale and make people more likely to quietly quit.
To avoid workers quietly quitting, consider taking the following steps:
- Create a positive working environment by building common ground, establishing mutual respect, and going the extra mile for employees.
- Be consistent and reliable by always delivering on your promises and showing your employees that you care about their well-being.
- Encourage feedback by creating an open and honest dialogue about working conditions and things that could be put into place to improve them.
Talk about it
Whether you’re a manager or an employee, work can be stressful for everyone. If you’re considering quietly quitting or you’re concerned your employees may be going down that route, consider speaking to a professional. Talking to a therapist can help take the weight off your shoulders and get to the original problem that needs resolving. They can help you explore all your options and arrive at the best solution before doing anything drastic that can’t be undone.
