Over the past few months, you have probably been hearing an increasing amount about “quiet quitting.” This phenomenon can be confusing for many employers, but without addressing it, could lead to serious problems in your workplace, especially when it comes to teamwork, culture and overall productivity.
So, let’s take a look at what quiet quitting is, how to recognize it and, most importantly, what to do about it.
What is quiet quitting?
Quiet quitting is where employees fulfill the minimum requirements of their job without putting in more time, effort, or enthusiasm than is necessary. While they are not neglecting their positions, they also don’t actively go above and beyond.
Quiet quitting has been driven by social media, though many believe it was around long before it was officially named quiet quitting.
Quiet quitting can have serious negative repercussions for a business. It can lead to a decrease in productivity as employees are less motivated, and in turn, this can lead to a decrease in profits for the business.
In addition, employees who are not engaged may be more likely to leave the company, leaving gaps in the workforce that the company has to fill.
More concerning is the fact that quiet quitting, especially among large numbers of employees, could be a sign that your workplace doesn’t promote a healthy work culture or productivity, which are key to any company’s success. It may even be a sign that your business has a toxic work environment.
4 signs that your employees are quiet quitting
If you're a business owner or manager, it's important to recognize signs that your employees are quiet quitting. Employees who are quiet quitting may not outwardly express their dissatisfaction, so it is important to be aware of subtle cues that could indicate that they are not fully engaged in the business. Here are some signs that may indicate that your employees are quietly quitting.
Decrease in engagement: If employees are no longer enthusiastic about their work, not volunteering for extra duties, or disengaged during conversations, this could be an indication that quiet quitting is happening in your workplace.
Excessive sick days: If your employees are taking more sick days than usual, this could be a sign that they’re looking to get away from the workplace.
Less social interaction: If you notice that employees are no longer as talkative or engaged with their colleagues, this could be an indication that they no longer feel connected to the workplace.
Lowered productivity: If your employees are no longer producing the same level of quality work as they once did, this could be a sign that your employees are quiet quitting.
10 ways to prevent quiet quitting
If you think that your employees are quiet quitting, or want to prevent it from happening, here are 10 things you can do:
- Encourage open communication between employees and managers
Encouraging open conversations between employees and their managers can help to identify potential issues with employee satisfaction and job performance before they reach a critical level. This doesn’t just mean waiting for employees to come to you or your management team. You need to check in with them regularly so they know you are open to hearing what they have to say.
- Make sure employees feel valued and appreciated
Creating an atmosphere of appreciation and recognition will help employees to feel they are respected and valued. This will decrease the chance of them ending up dissatisfied enough that quiet quitting becomes normal. This can be in the form of bonuses or simply giving out regular praise or verbal recognition when an employee does well.
- Listen to employee feedback and take appropriate action
If employees give feedback, it's important that managers listen to what they're saying and take appropriate action. Otherwise, employees may feel like their opinions don’t matter and will quietly quit as a result.
- Offer on-the-job training and growth opportunities
Offering employees on-the-job training and growth opportunities can help employees feel that their employers are committed to their development. This can increase loyalty and, in turn, productivity, motivation and enthusiasm.
- Promote a positive work environment
Creating a positive work environment can go a long way in retaining employees. Research has found that employees who experience a positive work environment are more likely to stay in their jobs and be productive members of the team. It also helps foster an environment of collaboration, communication and respect.
- Provide fair salary and benefits
Offering fair wages and benefits will make your employees feel like they are truly valued. Knowing that they have a secure job and can provide a good lifestyle for themselves and their families will decrease the chance of them quietly quitting.
- Give employees autonomy and flexibility
Letting employees have some autonomy and flexibility in their jobs can help to make them feel empowered. Giving employees the freedom to make decisions will help to boost their motivation and enthusiasm levels.
- Offer regular performance reviews
Regular performance reviews help to maintain and improve productivity by giving employees feedback, helping them to identify areas for improvement, and allowing them to recognize their own successes.
- Lead by example
Leading by example is the best way to make sure that the entire team is motivated and productive. As the leader, it’s important to be setting a good example by working hard, taking initiative and encouraging others.
- Host regular team building events
Hosting team building events can help to build relationships between colleagues and improve team morale. This can help to foster a feeling of camaraderie, collaboration, communication and motivation among employees and management, which will stop employees from feeling disengaged and quite quitting.
To learn more about how a team building event can improve team morale, get in touch with Teambonders today.
