5 Causes of Quiet Quitting and How to Overcome Them
What are the causes of quiet quitting?
- Overloaded tasks
- Poor compensation
- Lack of boundaries
- Lack of support from the team
- Unclear, mismatched expectations
Quiet quitting is a new trend circulating on the internet, particularly on TikTok. It’s when an overwhelmed or overworked employee decides to stop going above and beyond their work and do the bare minimum instead. A person in this situation may be in the process of finding a new job or might have no intention to quit yet no longer feel motivated to work.
This is troubling because it signifies a disconnection within the employer-employee relationship. But how do we overcome this trend? Our Leadership Stack team tells you the causes of quiet quitting and its solutions here.
Overloaded Tasks
Having overloaded tasks can cause adverse effects on an employee including burnout, poor work-life balance, and feeling overwhelmed—all of which can lead to quiet quitting. As an employer, you need to solve this by checking the mood and atmosphere in your office.
These abrupt actions may be because they’re facing personal challenges or just need a break. If you notice your employees behaving in such a manner, you can propose effective solutions and provide them with the best support they need. Putting their mental and physical health ahead of work is okay, and will be appreciated in the long run.
Poor Compensation
Poor compensation might force an employee to quit. One warning sign is when their compensation is not enough to provide for their financial needs. If your employee struggles to pay their bills or provide for themselves, they will likely look for higher-paying job opportunities elsewhere. They may not speak up about their financial struggles to avoid embarrassment.
It’s time to take the “quiet” out of “quiet quitting” by solving this issue. Make sure that your employees’ salaries are competitive enough with market rates. Review their compensation at least once a year and offer non-monetary recognition, too, such as perks and benefits.
Lack of Boundaries
If employees feel that their personal time and space are not being respected both in and out of the office, they might feel undervalued or unappreciated. Make sure that their boundaries are valued or else they might choose to quiet quit rather than confront you.
To solve this issue, don’t hesitate to schedule a one-on-one meeting with them and frame your conversation as such:
“I noticed that you’ve been quiet lately. I know that you may be going through challenges in and outside work. I just wanted to let you know that if there are parts of our working culture you’re dissatisfied with, I’m happy to hear about and address them to ensure you feel safe and comfortable here.”
Lack of Support from the Team
“If no one cares either way, then why should I try harder?”
When an employee does not have adequate support at work, they may feel isolated and alone. This can lead to disengagement, dissatisfaction, and a lack of motivation. If your employee feels this way, they may choose to quit rather than speak up about their concerns.
Recognizing your employees is a great tool for battling this problem. By acknowledging and awarding them for their standout work, you’re showing them that what they do matters to you and the company. As a result, they’ll be happy that they’re acknowledged for their hard work.
Unclear, mismatched expectations
Another reason employees might want to quit quietly is if their employers have unrealistic expectations. Simply put, they feel like their boss asks too much of them by always adding responsibilities outside of the job description, especially without any discussion. Perhaps they’re surprised that they’re working in an entirely different position than what they were hired for or didn’t expect to take on a dual role that should be done by two or more people.
Your lip service will not solve this because it’s not enough to say that you’re gonna help them. You should make sure to act in good faith and take visible steps to fix this and let your employees know that you’re serious and sincerely supportive of their concerns.
Key Takeaway
It can be challenging to spot the causes of quiet quitting because employees may be non-confrontational or may be facing their own personal challenges quietly. However, regardless of those causes, it’s a good idea to address them immediately, especially if you notice their sudden mood or performance changes as well as their behaviors.
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