‘Quiet Quitting’ Is the New Workplace Trend You’re Probably Already Participating in (Whether You Realize it or Not)

Quiet quitting. It sounds like some sort of new wave sobriety tactic, like Dry January, right? Wrong. It’s a workplace trend, and it’s one you’re likely already participating in, whether you realize it or not.

The term first gained prominence on TikTok via user @zaidleppelin. In a now-viral video, he described the phenomenon: “I recently learned about this term called ‘quiet quitting’ where you’re not outright quitting your job but you’re quitting the idea of going above and beyond.”

@zaidleppelin On quiet quitting #workreform ♬ original sound – ruby

“You’re still performing your duties, but you’re no longer subscribing to the hustle culture mentality that work has to be your life,” he continued. “The reality is it’s not, and your worth as a person is not defined by your labor.”

Do we see anyone out their nodding their heads in recognition? (And here you thought you were just a lazy ass! No, sir! You’re part of an awakened movement!) If this concept isn’t resonating for you, it’s basically the “clock in/clock out” mentality, where you perform your duties but don’t put any extra enthusiasm or effort behind them. You don’t stay late, eat at your desk, answer emails afterhours, etc. You basically have solid boundaries between work and the rest of your life, and – this is crucial – you don’t feel bad about it.

For some, this idea of keeping your job (and your paycheck) but doing the bare minimum is the best of both worlds.

“I quiet quit 6 months ago and guess what, same pay. same recognition, same everything but less stress,” one commenter shared.

“Then when you do it you realize nothing at work matters and suddenly all the stress vanishes,” another observed.

“Even when I do this I’m still outperforming 90% of my co-workers…” someone else humble-bragged.

“It’s called ‘meeting expectations’ if your [sic] doing more then [sic] this you are losing time and money,” another insisted.

“i do just enough to not get fired or noticed,” yet another commenter chimed in. (Let’s hope her boss isn’t on TikTok.)

Others aren’t entirely convinced this less-is-more approach is as sweet as it sounds.

“I’ve been quietly quitting for months but it’s recently started to affect my mood and self-respect,” one admitted.

“doing this at work now but close to quitting quitting,” another said.

What we really want to know how bosses feel about quiet quitting, and if they even notice how many people are doing it. Given that the above TikTok vid has over 3 million views and almost half a million “likes,” we’re guessing that you or someone you work with is quiet quitting right now. Let’s just hope y’all don’t get fired in the process.

Cover Photo: LumiNola (Getty Images)