- Nilofar Ahmed
- Conversation*
attributed to him, Getty Images
In many countries of the world, there has been a debate about a phenomenon called “grand layoffs”.
The UK saw a sharp rise in people leaving their jobs in 2021, and a fifth of the country’s workers still say they plan to quit next year in search of greater job satisfaction and better pay.
If you’re unhappy at work, but leaving your job isn’t an option or there aren’t any attractive alternatives, you can try a “quiet separation.”
This tendency to take on the minimal role of one’s career has gained traction on TikTok and has clearly resonated with young people.
It also frustrated managers, and some seemed to be concerned about staff accommodation.
But the silent dismissal doesn’t mean avoiding doing your job, it’s just trying to keep life out of work too.
Over the past 20 years, many people have embraced a global culture of overwork, where unpaid work has become an expected part of many jobs.
After many recessions and pandemics, millennials and Generation Z in particular often don’t have the same job opportunities and financial security as their parents.
Many young professionals who expected relatively little progress in their lives suffered from precarious contracts, career uncertainty, and failed attempts to purchase a property.
There are those who are constantly working overtime and going the extra mile at work to try and secure promotions and rewards – but they still struggle.
attributed to him, Getty Images
Many millennials and Generation Z youth reject the “living to work” lifestyle.
Perhaps in response to this disappointment, a recent Deloitte study shows that young people are increasingly looking for flexibility and purpose in their work, as well as balance and achievement in their lives.
Many young professionals now reject the “live-for-work” lifestyle, continuing to work but not allowing work to control their lives.
Working “at a minimum” may seem strange. But you (and your employer) shouldn’t fear a silent dismissal. In fact, it could be a good thing for both of you.
Working less is good for your mental health
Studies show that work-life balance is linked to mental health in a variety of occupations.
A survey of 2017 UK workers conducted by employer review site Glassdoor in 2021 found that more than half of respondents felt they lacked work-life balance.
The silent class aims to restore that balance, in situations where work has stolen time from your personal life.
It can also help separate your self-esteem from work. When all you do is work, it’s hard not to derive your sense of value from it.
Perceived flaws at work, such as not getting a promotion or recognition for your accomplishments, can be understood as personal flaws.
This can increase anxiety – and make you worry about how to improve your performance.
attributed to him, Getty Images
Many people now refuse to overwork to avoid “burnout”, and opt for a more balanced life.
People often respond by working harder, which exacerbates the vicious cycle of burnout and low self-esteem.
Risks of ‘burnout’
When a situation becomes very ugly, it can lead to Burnt (Occupational burnout).
In 2019, the World Health Organization officially recognized Burnt As an occupational phenomenon characterized by feelings of fatigue, exhaustion, cynicism, mental detachment from work and poor performance.
a Burnt It is a significant risk of work burnout and can have long-term effects on physical, emotional and mental health – it is challenging and costly for individuals and employers.
a lot of people Burnt He ends up absent from work or, at least, working below his full capacity.
A quiet separation can create a better work-life balance – and thus can protect against it Burnt before it happens.
Better working relationships
Research shows that happier employees are more productive and engaged. This can ease the feeling of being distracted or not wanting to be there.
When people feel happy, they are more likely to be friendlier and open-minded, and foster friendships in the workplace – which many consider an important part of their job satisfaction.
attributed to him, Getty Images
People reject fatigue and exhaustion – they choose balance and contentment
And the quiet shooting focus of focusing solely on doing your job removes the negative impact of feeling constantly competing with your peers.
Having friendships in the workplace fuels our basic need for a sense of belonging and, in turn, can increase loyalty in the workplace and improve work performance.
All this can lead to higher productivity, which of course means higher profits.
A silent resignation can be a “great liberation” in response to a major resignation.
People refuse to overwork and Burnt – Choose balance and contentment.
They set boundaries so that their identity and self-esteem are not tied to their productivity at work.
Instead of worrying about lost productivity, employers should take advantage of this quiet layoffs to support the well-being of their employees.
Encouraging a better work-life balance will show workers they value, leading to greater engagement, productivity, and loyalty: Everyone wins.
* Nilofar Ahmed is Professor of Social Sciences at the University of Bristol, UK.
This article was originally published on the academic news site The Conversation and is republished here under a Creative Commons license. Read the original version here (In English).
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