What does "quiet quitting" actually mean?

In December, the nights are definitely no longer quiet, but rather covered with intrusive sound carpets: from festive (Werbemuzak) to reproachful (Salvation Army) to bawling (mulled wine parties). Quiet quitting is the most common thing to do at this time of year: "Quiet quitting" is what they call it lately. Especially around the holidays, the silent goodbyes begin in offices and home offices every year.

"Another year gone and no improvement in sight," employees seem to think at the turn of the year. Maybe that's because everyone has time to reflect over the holidays and meet relatives and friends who brag to them about what a great life they had. Immediately afterwards: first check LinkedIn and lo and behold - here, too, only successes are posted, people gossip and comment. How great everyone is! As you scroll, your own dissatisfaction grows and the goodbyes take their course. But already in the first week of the new year, most people lose heart and the planned job change turns into a retreat, and instead of saying goodbye properly, they say goodbye quietly.

Service by the book

The German version of "Quiet quitting" sounds more military and doesn't quite get to the point. Quiet quitting fits better. Saying goodbye to the motivation to work for a company. Saying goodbye to the amenities that suddenly seem like disadvantages or to colleagues who were already cooler than they are now. This is called subjective perception, bias or self-fulfilling prophecy. Instead of a logical argumentation, pseudo-arguments talk everything badly that was and is, so that what could be becomes justifiable.

Does this sound familiar to you? Or are you perhaps thinking to yourself as you read these lines that there are also rational reasons for wanting to change jobs? Of course there are. That's why "quiet quitting" is not just a Generation Z buzzword, but indicative of one of the most important discussions that should be taking place in the world of work right now.

We need to talk about how work and life can be considered holistically in addition to work - out loud. Together, exploring the ideal between self-optimization and performance and profit optimization. After all, this debate offers the chance to talk about the meaning and purpose of working together, about opportunities, perspectives, expectations and well-being, about quality, performance or the future of work in general.

Employers should urgently consider whether it would not be better to tackle employees' issues head-on instead of complaining that they are hiding in their home offices and saying goodbye to them internally. Employees would be advised, instead of resigning, to be honest with themselves and their employer, to stand up and voice their needs. As is mandatory in any relationship. In this sense: Merry Christmas of love!