Did you know that around 60% of employees worldwide are quietly quitting?
This could be a big reason why workplace productivity is down and negativity is up.
If you chat with anyone in business, they'll likely mention how tough it is to find motivated and dedicated employees these days. Even the simplest tasks have become challenging because it seems like no one is really invested in their work anymore.
But here's the thing: it's not always the employees' fault.

I think high stress and poor leadership are turning folks into what's known as "quiet quitters." But what does that even mean? Well, a quiet quitter is someone who's really unhappy and just not motivated to do their job well. Instead of doing the obvious thing and finding a new job, they stick around at the company that's making them miserable, doing just enough work to avoid getting fired.

Having this mindset can really take a hit on your mental well-being.

The dangers

Personal dangers
Stepping back from your job without fully engaging can actually take a toll on your mental well-being. Beyond health and family, I think personal growth plays a huge role in finding happiness. There's something incredibly satisfying about mastering a new skill or improving at something—it can be downright addictive!

Corporate dangers
When employees feel disconnected from their work, they lose their sense of belonging and responsibility. Clearly, that's not the kind of environment where amazing things can happen. Without motivation, people are unlikely to go above and beyond, which is sometimes necessary to reach important goals.

Here are some signs of quiet quitting to be aware of.

Signs of quiet quitting

1. Negativity

2. Decreased productivity

3. Lack of initiative

4. Avoidance
   

Negativity:
I think we can all agree on one thing. New team members usually come in with a lot of motivation and enthusiasm. Sure, there are exceptions, but that's generally the case. On the flip side, folks who have been with the company for decades can sometimes develop a negative attitude. In my view, that's pretty risky.
A negative atmosphere isn't just unpleasant to be around.
It can also dampen the spirits of those new, motivated team members. It's perfectly normal to feel frustrated now and then—that's just life. But if someone is constantly negative, it's a clear sign that something's not right.


Decreased productivity:
People who quietly disengage from their work often feel disconnected from their company. They may have lost their sense of responsibility, which can lead to tasks taking them much longer to complete than usual.


Lack of initiative:
Reaching new milestones can be challenging, but it's definitely doable!
It takes more than just putting in extra effort; having initiative is key. This could mean being creative or having a genuine interest in making things better.
When someone truly cares about their workplace, they're more likely to invest time in thinking about improvements and working together to achieve great things.


Avoidance:
Take a moment to observe your workplace. Who's showing up for team events and who isn't? I've noticed a pattern over the years. Often, the folks who are consistently negative and seem to have checked out tend to band together.
It's like they've formed their own little group with a single mission: to be negative and resent anyone who doesn't share their outlook.
Are these individuals participating in team events or social gatherings? Probably not. Avoiding anything beyond the bare minimum required to keep their job is a pretty strong indicator that they've thrown in the towel.

In conclusion

There are plenty of reasons why people might start to quietly quit at work.
In my opinion, the top two major reasons are poor leadership and overwhelming stress. The tricky part about quiet quitting is that it can lead to unhappiness on a personal level.
Personal growth and a sense of accomplishment are really important for feeling fulfilled as a person. When we lose those, it can leave us feeling incomplete.

When you start losing that sense of responsibility, it usually means you've stopped caring. Some clear signs of quiet quitting include negativity, a lack of initiative, decreased productivity, and avoidance.
It's important for companies to recognize these signs because they can not only hinder business growth but also have a negative impact on those who are still motivated.

Life's just too short to spend 40 hours a week doing something you hate.


Thank you for reading.