Quiet Quitting is Happening! 5 Signs Your Employee is Quietly Quitting

The last thing your company needs is your current employees quiet quitting. This trend had been happening for years, but someone finally named it. Quiet quitting occurs when employees disengage from their roles and responsibilities without overtly expressing their intentions to leave. The "silent exit" can have enormous implications for your company, as disengaged employees can significantly impact your organization's productivity, morale, and overall health. According to a study conducted by Gallup, disengaged employees cost U.S. companies an estimated $450 to $550 billion annually in lost productivity. Recognizing the signs of your employees who are "quiet quitting" is essential so you can execute a plan to retain them hopefully.   

Here are five signs of quiet quitting: 

1. Subtle but Persistent Disengagement 

The most telling sign of a quiet quitter is a gradual decline in engagement. Your employee may still complete their tasks, but the spark that once fueled their enthusiasm needs to be more present. They show up to work physically, but mentally, they're somewhere else. Pay attention to waning interest in team discussions, reduced collaboration, and an overall lack of initiative. 

2. Disconnection from the Team 

When your employee is on the path to quiet quitting, you might notice a growing sense of isolation. They may distance themselves from team activities, skip social gatherings, and appear detached during meetings. When you notice this sign, it is time to have a conversation with this person. Many companies perform stay interviews to see why their employee is so disconnected. 

3. Deteriorating Work Quality 

A once high-performing employee's work may start to show signs of mediocrity or inconsistency. Missed deadlines, overlooked details, and decreased attention to quality are indicators that something might be amiss. 

4. Minimal Career Conversations 

Employees invested in their professional growth actively seek feedback, discuss career aspirations, and explore avenues for advancement. When someone is quietly quitting, they tend to avoid conversations about their long-term goals. If you have an employee like this, they stand out! 

5. Reduced Initiative 

Quiet quitters often become passive contributors, refraining from offering new ideas or taking leading new projects. A lack of enthusiasm in all settings is a powerful signal of impending departure. 

The signs of an employee quietly quitting may be subtle, but the impact on a company's bottom line is anything but. If you can recognize these signals early on, it may give you a chance to intervene and re-engage an employee. 

What can you do to help solve this issue? Sometimes, it is as easy as training all leadership to pay attention to the basics. Make sure you give your employees their reviews and raises on time. Celebrate achievements while they happen, not quarterly meetings. Make work-life balance a real thing and make sure everyone knows how they can benefit personally and professionally. Most of all, keep a positive work environment. If you do and someone is quitting quietly, they will stick out.