Work Spotlights

Work Culture Insights: Quiet Quitting

Othmane Taoudi Benkirane, Class of 2013  

Quiet quitting is currently a trending expression that raises diverging opinions throughout the globe. It does not mean people are leaving their jobs. Instead, it is related to employees doing the required minimum tasks while abandoning the hustle culture that rewards going beyond the job description. 

WHY STAND FOR QUIET QUITTING ? 

1- Employment is a transaction: People who agree with this trend state that they are paid to perform a defined scope of work. Doing more than what they are hired for is an unpaid work. Hence, an unfair transaction between them and their employer. 

2- Mental health is a priority: It might have not been a priority when we were preparing for a final exam or for our capstone but life cannot be a never-ending capstone. There are various articles and testimonials of employees overwhelmed by the level of stress and long working hours incurred by work, deadlines, OKR, KPIs etc. 

3- Time for family & friends is more important: Testimonials state that people want to have a successful career while having enough time for a personal life. 

WHY NOT STAND FOR QUIET QUITTING? 

1- Quiet quitters are lazy: Some of those who do not agree with this trend believe that quiet quitters are just hiding under their laziness and bad performance. 

2- Forget being promoted: Some believe that you do not get promoted by doing the bare minimum. When an opportunity opens up, hard workers or dedicated employees are the ones who get the promotion. 

3- It is not a long-term vision: Some might think that working for more than you are paid for is actually an opportunity. They explain that other market players and competitors would hire you while naturally filling that gap. Indeed, demonstrating a high-level performance would empower your storytelling when you look for another job. 

So, what do you think? 

I personally think that it is all about balance. Employment is a relationship that needs to incorporate values similar to those we have in our human-to-human relationships such as: empathy, respect, transparency, ambition and a significant tolerance for mistakes. “Life is hard lakine jameela“ as the song says.