The Danger of Checking Out

Hybrid office, quiet quitting, digital nomads, the great resignation—several new working terms and formats have arisen following the pandemic. One alarming trend is younger workers checking out. Whether from burnout, mental health issues, boredom or self-isolation, more and more workers and leaders are disengaging. What does it look like? Not showing up for in-person gatherings, putting in minimal effort, becoming disillusioned with a job role, expressing constant dissatisfaction, having no meaningful relationships with working colleagues. This is especially prevalent today among younger employees.

Fortune magazine writes, “Only 32% of employees said they were engaged with their work last year… The decline comes after a decade of gains in worker engagement and the current ratio of engaged to actively disengaged workers is now at its lowest points since 2013.”[1] The danger in checking out is that it often hinders a worker personally, professionally—and spiritually. Scripture teaches us a clear role for work in our lives, and that engaging in work can bring meaning and purpose to a large portion of the time we spend each day. Consider:

We were made to work. From the beginning, even before man sinned, God had a job for him to do. Genesis 2:15 says, “The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it.” Work, then, was part of our purpose from the start. Work is a facet of God’s plan for humanity. God created work, and this means that even if one doesn’t love their job, the act of work should be viewed as a gift of God.[2]

Further, those who can work, should work. The Bible warns against laziness and disengagement. Because work is God’s gift to us, when we have the opportunity to work, we should. Heed the instructions of the Apostle Paul: “For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat. For we hear that some among you walk in idleness, not busy at work, but busybodies. Now such persons we command and encourage in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living” (2 Thessalonians 3:10-12). There’s nothing inherently wrong with considering another job that is a better fit or more lucrative. But at the same time, the Bible teaches us to engage in the tasks at hand—don’t check out!

We were made for relationships. Perhaps no greater lingering harm came from the pandemic than the concept of “social distancing”. Along with our culture’s constant fixation on smartphone screens, we have greatly increased the level of disengagement from one another. Isolation is a growing health concern. A fundamental trait of checking out at work is distancing oneself from meaningful relationships. According to Project Unlonely, “Health risks associated with loneliness and social isolation are comparable to the dangers of smoking and obesity, increasing mortality risk by up to 30%. Feeling alone increases the risk of death by 26%, while social isolation and living alone increases mortality risk by 29% and 32%, respectively.”[3]

Scripture consistently teaches the importance of personal relationships. In Genesis 2:18, God created Adam and immediately said, “It is not good for the man to be alone.” Proverbs gives wisdom on relationships’ role in making good decisions, saying, “One who has isolated himself seeks his own desires; he rejects all sound judgment” (Proverbs 18:1). In the New Testament we are told adamantly that we should engage with fellow Christ followers for personal and spiritual development: “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another.”

At work we should look at the opportunities we have to form relationships among our colleagues and supervisors, and how we might encourage and build up those around us as a key facet of our relational engagement. Checking out robs God of the opportunity to work through us as a helpful and spiritual minister to those in our sphere of influence.

We were made to engage. Colossians 3:23 says, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.” Engagement in work, regardless of the nature of it, is something we are instructed to do in Scripture because ultimately our effort is for the Lord. God created us to use our talents, skills and giftedness daily, and our work provides one means by which to do this. Even if your work is not in line with your passions, and simply a means of provision, there is still glory to God in doing work to the very best of your abilities.

God often has personal purpose and ministry opportunities that exist within our work. Perhaps there is someone who needs our help, or an example we can set or wisdom we can share that mentors another employee. Psalm 90:17 reminds us, “May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us; establish the work of our hands for us—yes, establish the work of our hands.” Checking out of work may literally daydream away tasks and ministries that God Himself has established for you to do! God desires us to fully engage in every effort, always seeking His plan and purpose no matter what the task at hand.?

Checking in. The lesson to learn on checking out is that we should always view our work as a spiritual opportunity, regardless of whether or not we love it. We can pray for God to change our work, and we can engage in self-development through more education and training. But wherever work has you at the moment, for your own health and well-being, and for the impact of your life on others, take time to check in versus check out.

[1] https://fortune.com/2023/01/25/gen-z-and-millennials-disengaging-from-work-hurt-career/

[2] https://billygraham.org/story/5-things-the-bible-says-about-work/

[3] https://www.artandhealing.org/isolation-and-loneliness-fact-sheet/