Should Businesses Embrace Quiet Quitting?

Have you heard about quiet quitting? 🤫

This new trend could transform work culture for good.

A new article from the Australian HR Institute argues that quiet quitting is “an opportunity to do better.” In this blog, we take a look at their advice for transforming work culture from within, but first, what is quite quitting and should you be worried about it?

Contrary to its name, quiet quitting isn’t about quitting at all. It’s about keeping your head down and getting on with the job. The term “quiet quitting” comes from a US TikTok video and describes a worker who gets their duties done while rejecting “hustle culture” and the idea of “going above and beyond”. The idea is said to be inspired by the Chines concept of “lying flat” – a movement designed to rebel against long work hours.

So, should employers be worried? Aaron McEwan, VP, Research & Advisory, Gartner thinks not:

“Quiet quitting is just people saying, there’s more than life to work. Do I want to live or work?”

Reflecting on quiet quitting provides an opportunity for employers to completely reimagine how they approach work-life balance and how they measure what a “great” employee looks like. Here are some of the ways that employers can design “engaging and productive work cultures” according to the Australian HR Institute.

1. Reduce organisational drag

During the pandemic, employees picked up “discretionary tasks” as businesses scrambled to find new ways of working and many have never put them down. This extra and sometimes unrecognised work has left them exhausted. Workloads should now be reexamined to find out which tasks are adding value and to discover opportunities to increase meaningful labour. Some tasks may need to be cut altogether while others can be automated or made more efficient to ensure that work is purposeful and valuable – for both the individual and the company.

2. Reflect on social power

Millennials and Gen Z will soon make up the majority of the workforce. Although research has shown that millennials do sometimes overwork, this new combined demographic is more likely to challenge old ways of thinking and to do it socially. A light is being shone on work cultures and this can end badly for companies that pressurise employees to overwork. If you don’t want your bad habits aired online, change them.

3. Give workers the resources they need

It’s tough to think innovatively or embrace meaningful work when you’re constantly drowning under your workload. Employers must give workers the tools and support they need to get tasks done effectively and efficiently during working hours. Aaron McEwan says simply:

“It’s very hard to do your best work when you’re overworked, when you’re lacking sleep and when you’re unhealthy.”

Businesses should assess their current state to find opportunities to improve.

4. Make work exciting

Boring work = disengaged employees. Of course, not every job can be exciting all of the time – in fact, that would be exhausting in itself. But providing opportunities to practice and grow new skills and enjoy new experiences can be a good way to keep a role fresh and engaging for workers at all levels.

5. Rethink incentives

If you want employees to go beyond the boundaries of a role, you have to reward them. As economic challenges see people and businesses everywhere feeling the squeeze, many workers have not had a pay rise, promotion, or reward in many years. It’s little wonder that they don’t want to continue to deliver more when they feel they are not recognised or rewarded for their efforts. Even if financial rewards are off the table, non-monetary compensation can have a positive effect on employee engagement – from training and development opportunities to extra time away from the office.

Work is changing and employees are asking for more from their bosses. Are you prepared to face quiet quitting? And what will you do to make sure workers feel engaged and appreciated in a shifting financial and social climate?

However, if you're done with quiet quitting...

....and looking for a new job that helps you to feel more inspired and engaged, search our latest jobs and explore your options.

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Navigating Career Crossroads: Your Guide to a Fulfilling Your Next Career Move!

12 Feb, 2024

In the ever-evolving landscape of the professional world, many of us find ourselves at crossroads, contemplating a change in career or seeking new opportunities to ignite our passion.

September Surge – Our Top Tips for Job Seekers

by Shazamme System User • 07 Sept, 2023

Summer is over. September is here. For you lovers of the summer, this can often bring feelings of the blues, but September can represent a time for a fresh start. This time of the year can offer many opportunities for job hunters to find a new job that aligns with their skills, goals, and experience. Check out our top tips on how you can land your dream job this time around (and why you should work with Kelly). 1. Get Clear On Your Goals First and foremost, you must have a clear objective of what you want for your career. Searching for a new job can bring feelings of excitement and motivation but it can also be overwhelming for applicants. Having an idea of what industries, you would like to work in, the timeline in which you would like to find a job, and the companies you’re interested in will reduce those negative feelings but will also give you a sense of direction and focus. 2. Update Your CV The next thing you should look at is improving and updating your CV. Have you demonstrated your most valuable skills? Have you highlighted your most important accomplishments and achievements? Have you included your personal websites, business profiles, and your LinkedIn profile? These are some of the many things to consider when updating your CV. Job applicants should also keep in mind that you should adjust your CV for every job you apply for. You should customize your CV so that it reflects the job you’re applying for. 3. Work with a Recruiter Are you aware of the benefits of working with a recruiter? Recruiters are experts in the hiring industry. They can help save you a significant amount of time during your job search as they know exactly what jobs are available in the market and they can match you with a role that aligns with your experience. Recruitment consultants can help you improve your CV and cover letter as well as make sure you are prepared for interviews. If you would like to read more about the benefits of working with a recruiter, click here . September is an excellent time of the year to find that new opportunity that you have been longing for. By following these tips, you should be on the right course to navigate the job market and find a role that suits you. It’s important to stay positive during your job search as it can sometimes be a lengthy process. But just remember, the right opportunity can take time. If you would like assistance during your job search, please do not hesitate to reach out and email us at info@kellyservices. co.uk. Or click here to search our latest vacancies and apply today!

Change. How to turn your fear into fuel for a rocket move and wake up in a different reality.

28 Aug, 2023

Rephrasing the famous song, “Love is in the air”, let’s talk about change is in the air – and everywhere. We grow. We change. Look at your childhood photos. Watch your kid, your nephew, your niece. The change is there, and it’s incredible. Nature is constantly changing. We wait for summer as the time to enjoy outdoor activities and gardening, for a quick visit to the beach, or simply take time to relax and spend time with family, friends and loved ones. We wait for winter (even if we never see snow falling) to decorate the house for the holidays, pack presents for the people we love and unpack our own. The colour of the leaves changes, the weather shifts, and flowers blossom in their time – the landscape is constantly transforming. The world around us is changing. We travel to other countries and learn new things, cultures and languages. We take on new hobbies. We get new skills. After a couple of minor kitchen accidents (sometimes), we can cook delicious dishes and get compliments from family and friends. We transform our bodies at the gym or simply by creating the habit of walking every day. We meet new people, we sometimes fall in love, we build families, we have kids. And if you step back for a second, you realise you might have met your other half by pure accident. But you took a leap of faith into the unknown. We embrace many types of unknown change, except for the one that can change how we live five days a week – to change jobs. “I am too old/too young to change”, “I’m used to this environment; It’s my comfort zone”, “Well, I don’t get any promotion, and what I do doesn’t change the world, but it’s stable”, “I am afraid to ask for more interesting projects. What if my manager fires me?”. We often don’t want to change because that step requires a vision, courage, external support, and a leap of faith into the unknown. Scary? Yes. But also promising. A step into the unknown? Yes. But it can open a new door. Do your inner values marry what you do? Yes, it is essential. There is nothing terrible about staying in your comfort zone. At some stage of your career, staying put can be an excellent decision. But if you feel that you need a change – talk to Kelly. We don’t mind going the extra mile and support your wish to embrace the change. The one which will give meaning to what you do, feel proud, motivated and fulfilled. Ready for changing? We’ll make sure your talent can truly shine.