If you’ve pondered pulling back at work and doing the bare minimum AKA “quiet quitting,” it may be time you stepped it up a notch. Not only do more economists now foresee rough economic times ahead, career experts warn this trend has the potential to harm your career and haunt you for years to come. (Think about it this way: Doing the bare minimum might be easy now, but is it going to leave you with a reference you can be proud of??)
Besides, eagerly saying ‘no’ to any projects outside your job description can quickly cut short your professional development and the potential of receiving promotions or raises. Or both. “Quiet quitting is giving a more pleasant name to not doing your job,” says Andres Lares, managing partner at Shapiro Negotiations Institute, which provides negotiation training and consulting. “Relationships and reputation are very important professionally, and final impressions are lasting. So, do you want to be remembered by bosses, peers, and subordinates as a person that contributed very little?”
The jobs landscape is likely to tighten and some industries are already seeing layoffs. And have you noticed how expensive everything is? This may not be the time to put your job at risk. “Particularly during a time when business results are being examined more closely, you should be mindful of possible repercussions and choose your actions accordingly,” LinkedIn career expert Blair Heitmann says.
KNOW YOUR OPTIONS
We’re not saying there aren’t big problems that go along with being overworked. Burnout is real, and employers regularly ask too much without considering your personal life or mental health. But quiet quitting is often a short-term fix that doesn’t address larger issues. If you’re feeling overloaded and stretched-too-thin, or are looking for a better work-life balance, there are better ways to seek solutions with management. In other words, it’s time to talk about what you need to succeed, rather than just quietly deciding you’ve had enough and scaling back without warning.
Of course, this is going to look different for everyone. Before making a move, take some time to figure out what you need and want from your work environment. Think about personal career priorities and pain points, and what might help. For some, this may be a salary increase, more vacation, mental health days, shorter work days, or a shorter work week. For others, it may be better respect for off-hours, not answering emails or messages outside of work, or shifting your outlook on work where you take things less personally. Maybe you need additional staffing on your team, more resources and budget, or for some responsibilities and expectations to be adjusted.
BOUNDARIES PREVENT BURNOUT
“It’s all about open and honest communication with your manager so together you can work through any issues you might be having,” says Heitmann. “Having a clear idea of your company’s expectations, and then setting boundaries that work for you both, is a great way to prevent burnout.”
Lares says the employment market still favors employees and this is still a good time to make reasonable requests. When preparing to speak with your manager, having tangible recommendations ready can go a long way to improving the situation. “The key is to script out what you are going to say, roleplay it in your head, and deliver it with confidence but in an empathic way,” Lares says.
It’s important to remember that your manager likely manages other employees and could potentially be experiencing some of the same concerns and issues as you. “Be confident and push for what you think is fair, but think about their side as well when you make requests/demands,” he explains.
IT MAY BE TIME TO QUIT OUTRIGHT
If you still find yourself struggling, it’s a good idea to do a little self reflection. Do you just need a vacation, and your job is otherwise okay? Or are the issues you’re facing with your current employer insurmountable and unlikely to improve anytime soon? Please note: It’s never healthy to tolerate a toxic boss who continuously creates a hostile work environment for you and others.
And in this world of quiet quitting, it’s also possible you are in a job or working for a company where you actually shouldn’t be. If that’s the case, you should just quit outright. “Knowing when it is time to leave a job is very personal, and tied to what you’re currently seeking in your professional life,” says Heitmann, adding there are some indicators that it’s time to leave a job you’re in. They include: not being able to grow at your company, a lack of learning opportunities, a less-than desirable workplace culture and a high turnover rate.
If you’re slacking off right now because you’re not motivated by your job or aren’t happy at work, and/or you’re not meeting the expectations of your role, it might be time to find your next play.
READ MORE:
- My Boss Won’t Let Me Work From Home Anymore… Should I Quit?
- 7 Signs Your Hybrid Workplace Could Be Toxic
- How to Survive a Toxic Workplace
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