Due to the pandemic more employees are working from home, they feel burnout and have had more time to think and assess their lives. Subsequently many employees have decided that they need a better work life balance and this has now led to workers disengaging from their jobs. Let’s find out more about the phenomenon of quiet quitting and how to re-engage your employees.
What is Quiet Quitting?
Quiet quitting means that if an employee is unhappy at work, instead of quitting they do the bare minimum. Signs that an employee has mentally checked out include being less enthusiastic, less interested and less willing to take on work. This lack of investment in their jobs means that their work is below their usual standard or they are liable to miss deadlines.
You may also notice social signs such as not getting as involved with colleagues and making the most of bonding opportunities, being less willing to communicate with others and being less likely to speak up in meetings.
This phenomenon has potentially wide-reaching consequences for the future of employee engagement and productivity.
How Can I Re-engage My Employees?
If you notice these signs in an employee, you can start by finding out the underlying cause of their burnout/disinterest. For example, their workload may be too much, or they may feel like they are not getting enough support or training.
Mentoring can help them prioritise their workload and set boundaries around their time at work including taking more regular breaks and looking after their wellbeing, so that they feel able to re-engage with their job.
If you can communicate openly and honestly with employees, you can also encourage them to share their concerns and frustrations, identifying any potential problems before they become an issue.
Listen to feedback. If an employee is unhappy with their job or the working environment, taking the time to understand their perspective and address any potential issues can help prevent them from quietly quitting.
By taking the time to listen to employees and encourage them to look after their wellbeing, and create a positive work environment, organisations can help prevent employees from quietly quitting their jobs and re-engaging with their jobs.
Now that you know about the phenomenon of quiet quitting and how to re-engage your employees, what steps will you be taking in your organisation?
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