Why you shouldn't "quietly quit" your job

We’ve all heard the phenomenon going round lately about quiet quitting. The definition seems broad when you hear about it from different perspectives but there are a couple of key themes that are common across all the industries.

1-????Employees are saying they will do just what is required in their role and no more. It is unclear whether this falls into the “bare minimum” category or “achieving results but in my designated hours” category.

2-????Employees are wanting a life that goes beyond work. They are tired of the “hustle culture” and want a workplace that reflects their own life priorities and where they can switch off if needed.

I have spoken to numerous clients over the past couple of months about some of their key challenges post COVID and those include rising absenteeism, getting more collaboration in the workplace and finding new ways of working (known as WOW) to make the office environment more appealing and a place people want to get up and go to. I also talk to potential employees on the cusp of leading projects that are walking away from the opportunity with the fear of what it will cost them in terms of their own lifestyle.

Now here’s the thing- I can see different valid points in the theory but I can also see it being a pretty dangerous path to take as an employee wanting to build a career or potentially a business in the future and here’s why.

1-????No one wants to employ someone who is not willing to excel or give 100 per cent in their role. Also to be honest- what is the point? Why would you go into something and not give your full value because at the end of the day doing this you are only cheating yourself. No one is saying to give at the detriment to your own well being, but it is possible to have boundaries around your own time and still deliver to the expectations of your role. Just be really clear around what those expectations are and be also very clear if they are unrealistic. It is not fair not sustainable for you to remain under resourced to deliver and nor should you take this as your responsibility. If the organisation won’t hire support to grow that is a sign it may be time to look elsewhere.

2-????Flexibility works both ways. I am recruiting Sales Management role currently where there may be some out of hours calls but there is also no set time a person needs to be in the office. No set “face time” that is required to be at a desk. What there is are outcomes required and then the occasional emergency call that may come out of hours. Employers are happy to give you flexibility but then like any relationship, it needs to be give and take.

Right now it is an Employees market and that’s a great position to be in but let me say that the market will shift and when it does, the choices you make now will either enhance your employment prospects or detract from them. If you are not happy in a role- look elsewhere and go to a place where you can grow and develop your skills.

If you stay in a job and “quiet quit” your way through the skills shortage you aren’t only cheating the employer who has paid you to help their business grow and improve- you are also cheating your future self out of career opportunities and having a role where you show up with passion and commitment to the cause. You deserve more than that.

Feeling like quiet quitting is your only option? Reach out to us about how we can help you find a role that you aren’t holding out to take a vacation from and where you can still have the boundaries held to live the life you want.?