Quiet quitting doesn’t involve leaving the job but rather a subtle withdrawal from tasks that go beyond an employee’s basic responsibilities. It is characterized by doing exactly what the job requires—no more, no less.
This trend gained prominence on social media platforms like TikTok, where employees shared how they stopped going “above and beyond” and stuck strictly to their job descriptions as a form of reclaiming their work-life balance.
Consider a marketing professional who used to take initiative by staying late to help with additional projects, volunteering for committees, and frequently brainstorming new ideas. Feeling unappreciated and burnt out, the employee decided to quiet quit — now, the individual clocks in and out on time, avoids extra responsibilities, and focuses solely on the assigned tasks without extra effort.
An experienced software developer used to regularly contribute to optional code reviews, mentor junior staff, and participate in after-hours training sessions. Over time, feeling that these extra efforts weren’t acknowledged or rewarded, they decided to adopt a quiet quitting approach. Now, they strictly adhere to their core work hours and responsibilities, ceasing all voluntary activities and extra involvement that goes beyond their job scope.
A customer service representative at a call center, once praised for handling more calls than her quota and often working through her breaks to accommodate high volumes, realizes that her extra efforts have led to increased stress without any tangible benefits. She decides to quiet quit by sticking precisely to her assigned call numbers and scheduled breaks, no longer offering to cover for absent colleagues or extending her shift.
A high-profile case of loud quitting involved a tech company employee who resigned due to ethical concerns with a project they were involved in. He wrote a detailed blog post about their decision, outlining the misalignments with his personal values and the company’s direction. This post went viral, sparking industry-wide discussions about ethical practices in tech.
A senior manager at a retail company organized a very public resignation by coordinating a group exit with other managers during a national sales conference. They cited chronic understaffing and unrealistic sales targets, which were not addressed despite repeated internal complaints. The group hoped their dramatic departure would highlight the need for better operational practices and fair labor standards within the company.
A high school teacher, frustrated with the lack of support and resources in the public education system, decided to resign by posting an open letter on social media. In the letter, she detailed the challenges teachers face, including overcrowded classrooms and inadequate funding for educational materials. Her post quickly went viral, sparking a widespread discussion on educational reforms.
To manage these quitting trends, employers need to foster open communication, recognize employees’ efforts, and ensure that workloads are manageable. Offering flexibility, support, and career development opportunities can also keep employee engagement high.
Employees, on the other hand, should strive for clear communication about their needs and boundaries. If considering loud quitting, it’s crucial to weigh the potential professional consequences against the need to stand up for one’s principles.
