quiet quitting
Quiet quitting refers to the practice of performing only the exact duties outlined in one's job description, without volunteering for extra tasks, working unpaid overtime, or going "above and beyond." The mental image is of an employee who has emotionally detached from the "hustle culture" mentality, choosing to prioritize their personal life and well-being over career advancement. The term is informal and often used in workplace discussions or social media commentary. While it sounds like resigning, it actually describes a state of remaining employed while setting strict boundaries. It is often contrasted with "quiet firing" or "hustle culture" and is used to discuss modern shifts in work-life balance.
In conversation
Discussing office culture
Are you going to help with the new project proposal tonight?
Are you going to help with the new project proposal tonight?
No, I'm done at five. I'm officially quiet quitting.
No, I'm done at five. I'm officially quiet quitting.
The speaker uses the term to set a clear boundary between work and personal time.
Managerial concern
The team's output has dropped significantly this month.
The team's output has dropped significantly this month.
It looks like a case of quiet quitting; they are just doing the bare minimum.
It looks like a case of quiet quitting; they are just doing the bare minimum.
Used here to describe a lack of discretionary effort from employees.
Examples
He decided to start quiet quitting to spend more time with his family.
He decided to start quiet quitting to spend more time with his family.
Quiet quitting is often a reaction to burnout rather than simple laziness.
Quiet quitting is often a reaction to burnout rather than simple laziness.
The phenomenon of quiet quitting has sparked a global debate about the sustainability of modern corporate expectations.
The phenomenon of quiet quitting has sparked a global debate about the sustainability of modern corporate expectations.
