B Ling Sing Lin
A recent Straits Times article (11 July 2023) on Singapore having more quiet quitters than the global average, set me on this quest of what is quiet quitting? If you already know what is quiet quitting, you can stop reading this post.
Definition
Quiet quitting simply means becoming less psychologically invested in work, doing only what is expected or what is written in the job description. It means not having a passion for your work.
Origin
The term quiet quitting hit the Internet in March 2022 when Gen X career coach and employment influencer named Brian Creely used the phrase to describe employees “coasting “ at work.
In fact, the concept has its origins in China, where it is known as “lying flat” or “躺平 ”. Young workers rebelled against arduous work and demanding jobs, rejecting the idea that work has to take over their lives. Even President Xi Jin Ping weighed in on 躺平, issuing a warning…..A happy life is achieved through struggle, and common prosperity depends on hard work and wisdom.
Causes of Quiet Quitting
This happens when there is low compensation, or lack of career growth opportunities, or when an employee is ignored and unappreciated and disrespected, or just to fight back against demanding jobs, and a rejection of the idea that work has to take over one’s life.
Symptoms and Signs of Quiet Quitting
Instead of just quitting the job, the employee turns up to work but with no fire in the belly, no passion for the job, does not go the extra mile. He only performs the duties spelt out in the job scope, and turns down responsibilities outside it, and doesn’t work longer hours than necessary.
Is Quiet Quitting a new concept?
This is not a new idea invented by Gen Z. We baby boomers colloquially refer to it as “jiak zhua” or “eat snake”, a Hokkien phrase describing a person’s attitude towards work or tasks, where a person skives and slacks off from tasks and responsibilities. This may be more extreme than quiet quitting, as the worker can be plainly irresponsible. Taking repeated medical leave when not sick is a common example.
In 1995, in an episode of The Simpsons, Homer Simpson told his daughter, “Lisa, if you don’t like your job, you don’t strike! You just go in everyday and do it really half-assed. That is the American way!”
Work Life Balance
Brian Creely, who coined the phrase quiet quitting, feels that it is about restoring a healthy balance in work, doing what you are paid to do, and establishing firm boundaries.
lingsinglin
Dr Ling Sing Lin is a medical doctor by training. She worked in MOH HQ for many years, in policy making and administrative positions, until her retirement.
