A Manager’s Guide to Preventing Quiet Quitting in the Workplace

Quiet Quitting is a growing workplace trend. Fortunately — a skilled manager can prevent it from spreading.

Photo by engin akyurt on Unsplash

Recently, the phrase “Quiet Quitting” blew up thanks in part to a viral video posted to TikTok by user Zaid Khan. Since then, millions have watched the video, business publications have weighed in, and nearly everyone has formed an opinion.

I thought it was time to chime in from a different angle — that of the front-line manager. The phrase, while catchy, evokes images of slacking, laziness, and disengagement. However, from the perspective of those doing the ‘quitting’ — it simply means sticking to the job description and refraining from going the extra mile. Certainly not ideal from a management perspective, but not a fireable offense.

This misunderstanding can cause leaders to misinterpret and mismanage a situation. Such a circumstance could lead to hasty responses, damaged morale, and wasted productivity. As a manager who is passionate about fostering engaged and rewarding workplaces, I wrote this article for two reasons:

• First — I want leaders to understand the concept of ‘quiet quitting’. The concept is often misinterpreted, which is dangerous for both leaders and employees. I…