A silent protest': CPO at Headspace Health explains why workers are 'quiet quitting'

QUIET QUITTING: Burnout has been a?workplace buzzword ?as employees face continuous social and economic consequences from an ongoing pandemic — and now there's a new phrase to capture the malaise of employees who have hit their mental limits and are taking a step back: "quiet quitting."

Research and consulting company Gallup defines quiet quitting as workers fulfilling their job description, but refusing to go above and beyond or invest themselves emotionally in their work. Whether it takes the form of employees missing deadlines, not participating in meetings, increased absences or even general pessimism, quiet quitting is a product of companies not giving their employees the space or tools to meet their physical and mental needs, rather than laziness or apathy, says Desiree Pascual, chief people officer at Headspace Health , a mental healthcare benefits provider.?She shares what employers can do to stop this trend from impacting their workplace:

Read: A silent protest': CPO at Headspace Health explains why workers are 'quiet quitting'

PAID LEAVE: Can your paid leave policies get employees to stay??Family leave benefits ?have become a crucial tool in recruiting and retaining employees, but managing the logistics of insurance claims and state regulations is a headache for employers. However, putting people first sends a message that employees are apt to respond to, says Lauren Dai, chief operating officer and co-founder of?Cocoon , a leave management platform.?

"Employers are looking for a green light to tell their people, we're a company that cares not only about what you produce as an engineer, as a finance person, as a lawyer, but also who you are as a person and your holistic experience," Dai says.?She reveals what motivated her to start Cocoon , and what employers can do when reviewing their paid leave policies.

Read: Cocoon manages paid leave policies so employers can focus on their people

FIRST LOOK NEWSLETTER: Gain critical insights focused on workplace culture, employee development, health and retirement plans and more -- only on EBN's?First Look. Sign up for free right here .