The best thing about the debate around quiet quitting is that people with diverse opinions – about productivity at work and mental health – are engaging in a much-needed debate. In a nutshell, quiet quitting is when employees show up to work and do the minimum required but not much else.
If we genuinely want to find a solution to employee discontent, we need to approach the issue with a clear head. Reading and listening to what others have to say is important. For various other reasons, there is acute polarization in the world, and we do not want another divide in the society.
Work is essential to live an independent and dignified life. It helps us pay the bills and save money for important events and emergencies. Let us not waste this opportunity to engage in meaningful discourse. And, if at the end we cannot come to a consensus, let us agree to disagree and focus to find our kind. We need to find the right balance between economic progress and personal well-being.
Employers Can Do Better
Companies may think of themselves as good employers, while even with the best of intentions, they could be hurting employees’ health and well-being because of the way the work is organized. Working conditions and the demands of the work environment are a significant source of stress for many employees.
Also read – Job Change: More Than the Raise
Healthy employees have a better quality of life overall. They have better mindset, reduced risk of illness, disease, and injury and lower stress levels. Healthy employees reward their employers with more efficiency, and fewer sick days.
Not Just Another Brick in the Wall
As per an article published by Great Place to Work®: “Employee experience is influenced by many factors, but five are key for creating the climate necessary for positive employee well-being:
Mental and emotional support
Sense of purpose
Personal Support
Financial health
Meaningful connections
Employee Expectations
Employee engagement is the emotional and motivational commitment an employee has towards their company. Employee engagement activities usually involve a smooth onboarding process, training programs, feedback sessions, and more.
Quotable Quotes
“No longer are individuals subscribing to the neoliberal ‘hustle’ culture, which puts materialism and profits over human-centered values, such as compassion and self-development.”
— Maria Kordowicz, PHD
“From an office perspective, quiet quitting can cause conflicts between employees, as some employees will feel others aren’t carrying their weight.”
— Michael Timmes, Senior HR Specialist